High Hurstwood was built as a chapelry in the parish of Buxted to a design by E Christian in 1870-72 (ICBS) and a parish was constituted in 1884 (KD 1899).  The stone used was quarried 500 yards away and the building was largely financed by Lady C Harcourt of Buxted Park (ICBS).  The initial cost is said to have been around £3000 (KD ibid).

As built, it had a nave, apsidal chancel and a north aisle.  The windows are lancets, except some two- and three-light chancel and west ones.  Those in the aisle, which does not reach the west end, have shouldered heads and the arcade has almost round-headed arches; only the chancel arch is shafted.  Above it, on the east gable of the nave, is an open stone double belfry.

In 1903 J H Christian (BE p538), a relative and partner of the original architect, added a small south west tower, which is also the entrance and may have been built over an earlier stone porch - the arch resembles the earlier work, but the half-timbered upper stage would have been inconceivable in the early 1870s.  Possibly also of 1903 is the decoration of the chancel in blue, green and gold.

The vestry at the west end was added in 1935 (foundation stone) and there were alterations to the lowest stage of the tower in c1998 (inscription) to improve access for the disabled.  As a consequence there is now also an opening in the east wall.

Fittings

Font: Plain and octagonal.
Glass:
1.  (West window) Presented and probably made by Lady C Harcourt (KD 1874), c1872.
2.  (South nave, second window) Kempe and Co, 1929.
3.  (North aisle, second and west windows) Ordered from A R Mowbray and Co, 1932 (WSRO Fac).
4.  (South nave, first window) Cox and Barnard, designed by H R Mileham, 1958 (ibid).
5.  (North aisle, first window) Cox and Barnard, designed by P O Chapman, 1959 (ibid).
Reredos: Stone and mosaic, most probably dating from 1903.