Make a pilgrimage now using your computer, laptop, phone or other internet device. We journey East from Chidham to Steyning, away the fields near Chichester harbour where St Cuthman cared for his sheep, to the place he chose to build a church on the River Adur. This became known as St Cuthman’s port, now Steyning.
Route map
Start location:
St Mary’s Church, Chidham (view on Google Maps)
End location:
St Andrew’s and St Cuthman’s Church, Steyning (view on Google Maps)
Guided reflections
We offer the following reflections which you can use to guide you during your virtual pilgrimage from wherever you are
Introduction: Welcome to this pilgrimage. We shall be reflecting on Saint Cuthman, following the path of his life using pictures and commentary, pausing to reflect along the way, and considering what made him a saint. You can use each pause below to join as a virtual pilgrimage wherever you are.
Prayer of St Cuthman
Father Almighty, you have brought
my wanderings to an end; now enable me
to begin this work.
For who am I, Lord,
that I should build a house to your Name?
If I rely on myself, it will be of no avail,
but it is you who will assist me.
You have given me the desire
to be a builder;
make up for my lack of skill,
and bring the work
of building this holy house
to its completion.
1. Modern map: The story begins in a quiet rural backwater of West Sussex called Chidham, seen here in yellow on the left of an up-to-date map.
2. Chidham map: In the Seventh Century, Chidham was a small hamlet inhabited by South Saxon people, largely isolated and surrounded by water – a part of what we call Chichester Harbour. According to historical sources, Cuthman would have been born here, in or around the 680s.
Sussex Pilgrimage 