St Peter's Racton

This little church existed in 1142, when Savaric fitz-cane and his wife Muriel, daughter of Engelger de Bohun, gave the church of Racton to Lewes Priory. It was held by the monks until the amalgamation of the benefice with that of the rectory of Lordington in 1445. The church consists of a chancel, nave with bell-cote, and south porch. The nave is probably twelfth century and the chancel was added in the thirteenth. The present east window was opened and the whole west wall rebuilt in about the fourteenth century; the porch is modern. In the chancel is a canopied table-tomb commemorating John Gunter (d. 1557) whose descendants helped Charles II to escape from Shoreham to Normandy after the battle of Worcester. Charles II is said to have stayed in the thatched cottage outside the church overnight.

The Book of Common Prayer is always used in this church, and services are held here every Sunday.

Churchwardens
Mr. Phillip Cooper, 1 Park Farm Cottages, Racton PO18 9DP
Mrs. Audrey Hamilton, Lordington House, Lordington PO18 9DX