St Peter & St Paul, Mottistone

The Church has seen many alterations since its origin in the 12th century. Much of the visible architecture dates from the 15th century. The screen in the Cheke chapel was designed by John Seely, 2nd Lord Mottistone, and erected in 1948 in memory of his father.

To read up-to-date information about Mottistone and Brook, please click on our Autumn 2013 newsletter.

Closure of Eastern Gateway at Mottistone Church – December 2014

Mottistone Lynch Gate 2014 Everyone will have noticed the new heavy-duty safety fence surrounding the East Gate -and will be wondering why this has suddenly become necessary.

The answer is that, during the past few weeks, worrying new cracks have appeared in the stone archway just where Mottistone visitors like to park their cars. The surveyor advises that the whole structure, sadly, is in imminent danger of collapse and cannot be safely repaired.

Our immediate concern has been to keep visitors safely away from the danger area: which is why no access to, or from the church via this gateway is permitted until further notice. The three other entrances (south, west and north) are all functioning and should be used instead.

On professional advice, the Church Council has decided that most of the structure must be taken down without delay- and made safe so that normal, access from the car park can be restored as quickly as possible. No further action will be decided until after this work has been completed.

Recent Access Improvements – 2014

Work to improve access for visitors and worshippers at the 12th century church of St Peter & St Paul Mottistone, has been funded by a legacy enabling the tiny resident community to continue to maintain this peaceful and beautiful church. The funding of £10k paid for planning and architect fees, a faculty to approve the works, all stonework and tarmacking. Previously the path was too narrow to accommodate a wheelchair, and the area in front of the main entrance of the church too small to allow for maneuvering of a wheelchair. The only non-stepped entrance to the churchyard was via the North gate, and this meant exiting/entering from or onto the main road on a blind corner. Now the path enters from a new entrance on the West wall where parking is available; the path is wide enough to easily accommodate wheelchairs; the area in front of the church has been raised to eliminate a step-up to the porch area of the church and is now big enough to allow plenty of maneuvering room or for groups of people to stand with ease. Because the church is Grade 2 listed, all works had to be strictly carried out in accordance with historic building regulations. There is further work which is to be completed, to include handrails on the South and East Entrances. The works have been aimed at improving access not only for the disabled, but also the less-able. Nigel Roberts sourced and recycled local stone to complement the existing walling.