St Mary's, Rusper
The history of Rusper begins with the small settlement of Benedictine nuns in what was then a remote part of the Weald in the early thirteenth century. The name Rusper is unique; no other place in the British Isles has a similar name and it probably derives from the Old English ‘ruh spaer’ a rough enclosure. In this rough enclosure the church was founded, probably soon after the Nunnery became firmly established, but the first record of the church is not until 1287 with the appointment of a Rector. Possibly the church was enlarged to meet the needs of the developing settlement. Post Code: RH12 4PX
