The Old Rectory Singleton cost £3,432 when it was built

Elizabeth Doff, local Historian, considers the background to The Old Rectory, where some of our residential services are based

When the Revd. Francis Bowles was appointed as curate of Singleton in 1846, there was nowhere for him to live. The Rector of Singleton, the Revd. George Woods, (what a coincidence) who was also the Vicar of West Dean, wrote to the Duke of Richmond and enquired whether it would be possible for the new curate to live in part of the house now known as Grove House. The Duke agreed. Part of Grove House was made available for the new curate, so when the Revd. Woods retired in 1849 Francis Bowles was instituted as Rector of Singleton. Mr. Bowles married the following year and the young couple began their married life at Grove House, which became the official rectory for a time.

However, Francis Bowles wanted a purpose-built residence and had a plot of land on Budd’s Hill in mind. Possibly he thought that this elevated site would be more health-giving for his rather delicate wife than Singleton village, which possessed many springs and where, in winter, the intermittently flowing Lavant stream often caused flooding. In 1864 Mr. Bowles approached the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, asking permission to build a new house. He had an important ally, the Bishop of Winchester, who gave his ‘strenuous’support to the application. As the land on Budd’s Hill, was owned by the Duke of Richmond, an exchange was arranged and the Duke acquired some glebe land, which had formerly belonged to the parsons of Singleton.

An important architect, Ewan Christian, was appointed by Mr. Bowles to design the new Rectory. Christian was consulting architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from 1850-1895. He designed the National Portrait Gallery in London and, in Chichester, he was responsible for re-building Canon Gate – the gateway leading to the Bishop’s Palace. The builder of the Rectory was John Dalby of Steyning. The total cost of building was £3,432.

The Bowles’s moved in to the new house on 16th August 1869. The Rector was pleased with his new residence, which he considered to have been very well built. He noted that it was very warm and dry in winter. Two years later, according to the National Census for 1871, the Rector and his wife employed a cook, a lady’s maid, a housemaid and a groom. The groom occupied a separate cottage adjacent to the stables.

The house and garden were set on a hillside – anyone who visits the house on foot to-day soon realises how steep the incline is. There was one special feature in the grounds, which must have been designed especially for the enjoyment of Mrs. Bowles It was the long, level ‘walk’ to the north of the house. The walk was shaded on either side by lime, horse chestnut, beech and pine trees, most of which still survive. This level walk would have provided Mrs. Bowles with a shaded area along which she might promenade, or be pushed in a bath chair, without too much effort. So, it is sad to report that Jane Bowles was not able to enjoy the new residence and its garden for long. She died only two years after the house was completed.

The Rectory on Budd’s Hill was occupied by clergy in Singleton for nearly 100 years. By 1965 it was obvious extensive grounds was no longer suitable as a residence for a financially challenged, mid-twentieth century incumbent. The Revd. John Bishop had already sought, and been refused, planning permission to build a new house in the bottom part of the rectory garden, as access to the main road was considered dangerous.

Another site in the village, on land belonging to the church, was chosen for a new Rectory. By 1968 the Church Commissioners had approved plans for this and estate agents were hoping to obtain £20,000 for the sale of the old Rectory on Budd’s Hill. Eventually, £14,500 was obtained. The Revd. John and Mrs. Bishop moved into the new Rectory by October 1969 and readers of the Parish Magazine were told, “Mrs. Bishop and I are settling in happily, cheered by a bunch of roses kindly left by someone on the kitchen table”. The new Rectory was blessed on 9th November 1969. He noted that it was very warm and dry in winter.

Lt. Commander and Mrs. Graham applied for planning permission at the newly named ‘Old Rectory’ for change of use to a children’s Foster Home in July 1970. From 1974-1984 Mr. & Mrs. J.M. Webber owned the Old Rectory and children from the home featured in a film of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, which was made about the village by Mr. Cyril Pearman.

By April 1989 the Old Rectory was run by Mrs. Jo Benn, as a private home for young people with learning difficulties. She aimed to bring them into village life by using the grounds for fetes and pet shows. To-day the occupants are slightly older. The average age is the late 20s, and Tim Salmon, the general manager stresses that the aim is to provide the security of a real home for the residents, who attend college or day centres in Chichester.

You can find more from the late Elizabeth Doff's research by clicking here