An historic door to a church of ‘the highest historical significance’ has been removed, causing some upset in Petworth, writes Sussex World.
image for illustration: St Mary’s Church, Petworth by Smb1001, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
… plans for the door were ‘invasive’…
Sussex World writes:
St Mary’s Church in Church Street was built in the 13th and 14th centuries and restored by Sir Charles Barry in 1827, the architect responsible for the Houses of Parliament.
In a bid to make the building more welcoming, the historic door has been removed and replaced with a glass-panelled substitute, upsetting some in the town.
John Bird owner of John Bird Antiques, directly opposite the church, mourned the loss of what he said was part of the county’s most famous views…
The Victorian Society had strong words about the plans during part of the planning process back in 2021. Describing the building as a ‘church of the highest architectural and historical significance’, the society said plans for the door were ‘invasive’ adding: “They would result in the removal of what is likely a door dating from Barry’s restoration and a later 19th century lobby. The Society recognises that the parish wish to make the building more welcoming to passing visitors and easier to access…”
