The church was started in 1195, and is thought to have been built on the location of an earlier wooden Saxon structure. The church was probably controlled by the monks of Battle Abbey, as a licence in 1227 was given by the Abbey to allow Sybille de Dene permission to build a chapel on her estate. The chapel was to be administered by the rector of Waldron.
In 1412 Sir William de Walderne from the local manor became Lord Mayor of London. Then in 1657 Sir Thomas Offley of Possingworth also became Lord Mayor.
The village was visited by Cromwell's troops in the mid 1600's and it is said that the troops rolled the font down the hill. This font has been restored to the church and is said to be one of the three great round Saxon fonts in Sussex.
It is believed that the church was adorned with the Pelham buckle a decoration awarded by the local Pelham family from Laughton, but the symbol has been eroded away.
The churchyard contains many memorials to the Fuller Family the iron masters from nearby Heathfield and Brightling. It is said that one of the Vicars of the parish referred whimsically to the churchyard as "Fullers Earth" .
Here is the inside, looking towards the chancel and east window.
The enormous Saxon font outside the South Door.
Waldron church has some attractive windows, here is a sample together with a picture of the pipe organ.
Digital photographs
From Kelly's directory 1882:
"The church of All Saints is an ancient structure in the Early English and Decorated styles and consists of chancel, nave, aisle and stone tower containing 8 bells : it contains many brasses and monumental inscriptions to the Dyke, Offley, Fuller, Dalrymple and other families and was thoroughly restored in 1862. The register dates from the year 1564."
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