Elsted

St. Paul's Church, Elsted has existed for over 1000 years. The archway of the church entrance is from the time of Edward the Confessor (1004-1066) amd the 30 x 15 foot nave was the whole church in those days.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, "Ralph The Priest" was parson in Elnested, and 100 years later the Normans pierced the east wall with a beautiful horse-shoe arch. They added a small chancel and at the same time they made a north aisle, half the size of the nave. The two Norman arches that led to it are still there, although they are now blocked up.

In the 13th century the Norman chancel was replaed by a larger one in the early English style,. In this formt eh church remained for 600 years, apart from the addition of a south porch whose date stone of 1662 is still over the entrance.
(excerpts from a leaflet detailing the history of the church)

I have mention of Elsted within my family history. George Henry WILD (b. Nov 28, 1865 in East dean) married Emily EADE (b. about 1866 in Elsted) in East Dean February 27, 1866. Emily's father was David EADE and I have yet to discover if the family were from Elsted.