This 14th century church, listed in some sources as St Nicholas, was destroyed by 1564. It is thought to have been replaced by the 1563 St Michael's Church with its 14th century windows, font, much of the interior, and one 1470 bell from the earlier church.
The first church, at some distance from the village, may have been ruinous. If it were on the Earl of Sussex' land, he was at that time extending the Manor and improving the grounds and may not have welcomed a gaggle of peasantry coming through for church services.
