(1) North Porch and North Aisle

Leaving the North Porch and turning left, look at ground level just beyond the porch. Here you will see a gravestone lying flat, marked with the initials E.S. This is the grave of Reverend Edmund Stansfield, vicar of the church from 1871 to 1907. He carved his own gravestone. (Further information about him can be found in the Rustington Church Interior guide.)

Looking at the exterior of the North Aisle, there is evidence that the original aisle was built in the 13th century. However, the outer wall visible today was largely rebuilt during the 1861 restoration. Low down, you can still see sections of the earlier wall, with more recent flintwork above.

You will also notice that the aisle has a separate roof from the nave, a feature introduced during the 1860s restoration. Earlier drawings from 1791, 1804, and 1858 (pictured) show that the nave and aisles were once covered by a single continuous roof.

In the same image, note the gate on the corner of the churchyard. One of the original churchyard paths led directly to this gate, which remained in use until the early 1950s.

High above, the single-light quatrefoil (four-lobed) windows in the nave are believed to date from the Victorian restoration. Also visible is the bright splash of colour from the one-handed clock face on the north side of the tower.