The village of Staplefield was once part of Cuckfield parish, but as the village grew towards the middle of the 19thc. ,  a public subscription was raised for building the new church of St Mark, Staplefield Common in 1847. Built of local sandstone, its architect was the prolific Benjamin Ferrey, a pupil of Pugin.  Ferrey built dozens of churches, and restored many more.

In 1869 Charles Kempe was commissioned to paint the frescoes which adorn the walls of the chancel.

An extract from the diary of the Rev. Robert Appleton, father of the Rev. John Appleton,  the incumbent at Staplefield  from 1866 –1874, refers to the paintings.

1869 March28th.    Mrs Harrington to give lychgate and Capt.Dearden £20 for painting chancel. Mr Kempe arrived to investigate and wants more done. Subscriptions come in.

September1st.          Returned to Staplefield to find new decoration of the chancel nearly finished. New decoration generally much liked. It grows upon one, to me gives great feeling of repose and no distraction.

 According to a footnote in Pevsner’s “ Buildings of England – Sussex ”,  the completed wall paintings cost £74.18s 0d.