St Mary’s Church Bepton is a simple little church sitting in the rural community south west of Midhurst. It doesn’t have a shop or post office, nor even a village hall. Most of the housing is in the northern end, locally known as Severals Green where you will find The Country Inn (formerly called The Shamrock).
Bepton was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 when it was then known as Babintone.
St Mary’s Church is close to a farm and has some lovely, extensive views from the churchyard. If you walk up to the farm you get a panoramic view of the Downs.
Rebuilt in the 13th Century, it is not so different than when it was first built between 1180 and 1185. The walls are from local sandstone and chalk rag. There are 2 bells inscribed 1598 and 1625. The church has a silver chalice and paten dated 1625 and is now on display in the treasury at Chichester Cathedral.
Bepton didn’t escape the Black death of 1349 and there is a mass grave where the victims were buried under the bushes on your left as you approach the south door.
If you are in the area, it’s worth dropping in and looking around, as well as enjoying the surrounding countryside.
