3.40 p.m. – Just a brief stop at a local cafe’ before visiting All Saints’ Church, at Patcham. After the long walk that took me here today, a warmed scone with a touch of strawberry jam and a hot, frothy cup of cappuccino are just what I need to get my strength back and gather my thoughts about the churchyard I am about to visit. I have never seen it before, but the bits of information I found in the previous days sounds promising.
For a start, the church is one of the oldest in Brighton area, dating back the twelfth century. Although many parts of the building have been restored, with a disgraceful cement covering most of the exterior walls, the nave is still original. However, the one thing that really fascinated me is that apparently the place is hunted by ” a thin lady dressed in grey, who sits in the pews on frosty nights” (Carder, 2007). I hope to find out more about her story later, I am sure the vicar or the local villagers will know. In the meantime, I guess I’d better this scone before it gets cold!
Tombs near the church
All Saints Church, Patcham
Sadly, I could not get in the church as it is closed on Saturdays. So no ghost stories, yet. However, the churchyard is quite big and varied, so that got me back in my cheerful mood again.
The churchyard can be divided into two parts. The first one includes the church itself and the surrounding tombstones. These are mostly headstones nearer the church and mostly crosses on the further to the left. Some of the stones are broken, a few crosses have fallen off, but overall the tombs are well kept. 
Also, even though, the majority of their inscriptions is gone or eroded by lychens, I was impressed by the variety of symbolism and the crafted designs of some markers [photo 1, photo 2, photo 3].
I was able however toread some beautiful inscriptions such as that for William Frederick(1884-1902):
“how sudden was the fall! / no time to say farwell: God’s purposes are wisely hid / he doeth all things well.”
and that for Alfred George Vernall (1878-1963):
“the kiss of the sun for pardon, / the song of the birds for mirth, / one is nearer to God’s heart in a garden, / than anywhere else on earth.”
I also found a tomb which, apart from the unsual way the inscription has been superimposed, struck me because it has been commissioned not by a family member, but by a friend of the dead. Furthermore, the couple who are buried there, May Marion Burford (1880-1964), (May is usually a nickname for Mary), and Isabelle Sarah Luxton (1890-1967) seem to have been lovers. It’s the first time that I find a homosexual relationship spelled out on a headstone. That’s the inscription for M. Burford:
“Sleep on beloved and take your rest for god has called when he thought best: the cross is great that we sustain, in heaven we hope to meet again.”
and below, that for I. Luxton: ” friend and companion of the abouve may burford. reunited.”
Beyond the green fence
The second part of the churchyard, is accessed by crossing an hallway, from an arch entry cut through the grass fence. Apparently this part contains the more recent tombs ( I suspect the churchyard is still open for burials as the last tomb dated back to 2005). One of the inscriptions that I found more poignant is the one for Albert Thornton (1869-1938):
” home at last thy labour done / safe and blest thy victory won; / jordan passed, from paint set free / jesus now has welcomed thee.”
It’s already 5 o’clock, time to make my way home. A few more pictures to the landscape and then, back to the road. [PIC of the church]
References
Carder (2007) My Brighton and Hove. Accessed on 16th Aug 2008:
http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__8434_path__0p115p187p774p.aspx
Resources
All Saints’ Church website
http://www.aspawd.org.uk/aspawdcms/export/index.html
http://www.prestigememorials.com/Headstones-Symbolism-information.php
http://www.everlifememorials.com/v/headstones/cemetery-symbolism.htm
