Our Church is first mentioned in the Merton Priory Records of 1174 to 1189.
It is not known when the Chapel of Chissendon was first built but it must have been before it was confirmed an advowson
to Merton Priory in the twelfth century by Richard, Bishop of Winchester.
That there could have been a wooden Saxon place of worship on the site prior to the arrival of the Normans cannot be denied
although there is no record testifying to such a thing. The very name, Chissendon, indicates a Saxon settlement - the Saxons
having been great followers of rivers and streams from their major settlements along the River Thames.
The Chapel, a Chapel of Ease, often mentioned in conjunction with the Church of Meldone - Malden - changed hands several
times being variously under the jurisdiction of the Dioceses of Winchester in the twelfth century, Rochester in the nineteenth
century, Southwark in the early part of the twentieth century and presently Guildford.
Structures
The twelfth century fabric is that of the original Chapel now the Chancel and the north wall while the remainder of the building,
re-opened in 1854 after a complete restoration during which all the high pews were replaced by open oak seats, is nineteenth
century. During the restoration a date of 1636 was discovered when the plaster ceiling was removed. This removal exposed the
old chestnut roof. The Chancel Arch was built and a small vestry was added at the north side.
The Church was lengthened at the west end and a shingle spire added to replace the mean belfry. The removal of the belfry
also required the removal of the small arch which connected it to the Nave.
The Church exterior was completely restored with undressed flint replacing the green stained peeling plaster.
During the restoration the square wooden framed windows were filled up and the early English arches and windows, found at
this time, which had been well preserved under the plaster, were restored to their original purpose.
The south aisle was added in 1870.
The wooden beams in the Chancel are very old probably dating from a time in the medieval period.
Most of the beams in the Nave date from the nineteenth century restoration with the exception of the four nearest the Chancel
which are of seventeenth century vintage and bear nail marks which supported the rafters holding the 1636 dated plaster ceiling.
The Aumbry in the north wall is probably contemporary with the original building.
The Priest's Doorway in the north wall is also almost certainly contemporary with the original building of the Church while
is is equally certain the wooden door came originally from Winchester Cathedral. This door which was presented in the earlier
part of the last century, had for many years served as the door in a parishioner's cottage.
Windows
The narrow lancets with the semi-circular rear arches in both the north and south walls of the Chancel are contemporary with
the original building as is the single light at the west end of the north wall of the Nave.
The wider lancets, one each in the north and south walls of the Chancel date from the thirteenth century, possibly 1230, were
probably intended to allow more light into the building.
The east window of two plain lights probably dates from either the sixteenth or seventeenth century.
Another window of interest is the square opening to the west of the Priest's Doorway, probably a small side window with a
single lancet contemporary with the building which was probably filled in a some time for some now unknown reason prior to
1790.
Water colours from this date of the outside of the building show no evidence of this window.
The west window, a triplet of single lancets, dates from 1854 when the Church was lengthened. Of the six antique stained glass
medallions, the four roundels are 16th century Flemish glass, while the two quatrefoils are of 17th century Dutch glass.
Crosses
On the north wall of the chancel and to the west of the priest's door and also further east are scratched into the stonework,
small crosses. The origins are unknown but there is a belief they may have been made by Crusaders.
Fixtures and Fittings
There is a Nottingham alabaster set into the south wall of the Sanctuary, probably part of three panels dating from ca 1376,
representing the Annunciation, The Visit of the Magi and an unknown subject which may have formed a complete reredos. Sadly
all that remains now is the Annunciation panel in good condition.
The flooring in the Chancel, mosaic glass tiles - almost certainly Italian - dates from either the 1854 restoration or a little
later. The south doorway stood in the present position since 1870, has embodied in it original 12th century masonry.
Font
The font, the oldest interior fitment, though only the moulded base is 13th century, is located at the east end of the south
aisle.
Lectern
Ambo The Angel figure on whose wings the bible was supported was carved in London in 1898.
Pulpit
This dates from the nineteenth century restoration work.
Organ
The present instrument, purchased in 1994 is electronic and replaced a 1930's three manual pipe organ. The new organ was placed
at the rear of the church under the tower.
Bells
The eight bells in the spire, cast by Warner in 1894, replaced the two removed with the old belfry.
Monuments
There are many in the church, some dating from the eighteenth century including one to Samuel Crisp bearing an epitaph written
by D.C. Burney.
War Memorial
This is in two parts, the original commemorating the parishioners who died in the 1914-1918 Great War, while that added in
1996, commemorates those who gave their lives in the 1939-1945 conflict.
Plate
All plate is modern with the exception of a small Elizabethan Communion Cup hallmarked London 1568, which is currently exhibited
in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Registers
Registers of Marriages, Baptisms and Burial date back to 1656. Manuscript transcripts of this up 1837 are held in Minet Library,
while the original ones are preserved in the Museum at Guildford.
