The basic shape of East Dean church is unaltered from the time
of its construction between the middle of the 12th century to
the first part of the 13th. The cross shape with the tower at
the middle is still there, with the impressive south door with
its columns and multiple arches. A north aisle was added in the
14th century and later removed, leaving only the traces of an
arch visible in the outside wall. A wooden spire came and went.
The tower arches were beefed up with segmental curves at some
point, and it is said the tops of the original medieval pointed
arches are still visible above the plaster ceiling in the
crossing. The basic plan even survived the Victorians, who in
1870 brought in not one but two architects. The rector, who was
responsible for the chancel, employed the nationally-known Ewan
Christian, but the parishioners, who had to pay for the rest,
got John Marshall, a local builder who was presumably much
cheaper. Fortunately, although much of the stonework was
replaced or sharpened up, they d