Local History: The spire of Rotherfield’s Parish Church of St. Denys
Rotherfield’s Parish Church of St. Denys is a familiar and imposing sight in the small village. However, it has not always looked this way.
During the great storm of 1987, the 15th century spire was ripped from the tower in what the then rector called: “A terrible shock and a great challenge”. The structure, which reached 165 feet at its tip, was sent crashing onto the rest of the church, splintering irreparably. To add to the damage, the gales uprooted nearby large trees and tossed them onto the church as well. The belfry took most of the 360 year old spire’s debris, but the medieval north porch also took its fair share. The church bells were left open to the elements, a stained glass window was smashed and the boiler house was almost obliterated.
However, the Church of St Denys is no stranger to controversy. St Denys was the first Bishop of Paris, but was beheaded in 270 AD for refusing to make sacrifices in the Temple of Mercury. As the myth goes, his decapitated body carried his head north-east of the French capital and, eventually, the Benedictine Abbey of St Denys was built there. Then, in 629 AD, the French King built a monastery alongside the abbey and the monks who lived there became famous for being able to cure the sick.
Meanwhile, Duke Bertoald, of the South Saxons, came into ownership of the land of Rotherfield. When he became ill, he travelled to the monks of the St Denys’s monastery and was cured of his illness. Upon his return, he set about building a church in honour of St Denys as a demonstration of his gratitude.
The first version of the church was built in the 8th century, but was a wooden construction and was replaced another twice before it was destroyed by the Danes during their invasion and, subsequently unsuccessful, battle with King Alfred. The present church was actually erected in 1060 and is a fine example of local craftsmanship.
The day after the storm of 1987, Rotherfield residents were shocked and donations were instantly forthcoming from the public. The cost of the damage was estimated at £25,000 and the rector, Reverend Bruce Hayllar, vowed to replace the spire. The Parochial Church Council soon held a meeting and a firm of steeplejacks, working nearby on Mayfield’s Church of St Dunstan, came over to Rotherfield to do some emergency repair work. Whilst church services continued as usual, around 30 volunteers helped to clear the rubble, wood and tree trunks from the church.
The spire was finally replaced in 1989, with a stainless steel frame acting as the new skeleton. It was delivered to Rotherfield from London, complete with Police escort, in four sections and assembled at Milk Lodge Farm. After being clad in marine ply, it was set in place using a helicopter. Steeplejacks then completed the job by adding cedar shingles.
In a poignant note, the cross that hangs over the altar to this day is carved from the oak of the old spire, the last piece of the spire to remain in St Denys’s church.
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