Nominal: 879 Hz Weight: 971 lbs Diameter: 35.63" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1959
Dove Bell ID: 60085 Tower ID: 23521 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
South Patcham: Christ the King
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 308 82
The small brick church of Christ the King stands on an elevated site close to the junction of Braybon Avenue and Carden Avenue in a residential area of Patcham, now a northern suburb of Brighton. The church was designed by the architect L Keir Hett, a Sussex architect whose buildings belonged to the Arts and Crafts tradition. He used the vernacular architectural forms and, in the case of the church of Christ the King, combined this with the curvilinear style of Italian baroque.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Now a Pentecostal church.
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Five-bay aisled nave and chancel under one roof, west tower.
Dimensions:
Nave estimated to be c 15m (48ft) x 6m (19,6ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
A hall-cum-church was built here in 1939 but the area was not granted parish status until 1952, when the vicarage was built and the foundation stone of the present church was laid. The church was designed by the architect L Keir Hett and built by Ringmer Building Works. Mr L Keir Hett was a Sussex architect whose buildings belonged to the Arts and Crafts tradition. He used the vernacular architectural forms and, in the case of the church of Christ the King, combined this with the curvilinear style of Italian baroque. His churches are well built and the detail is carefully handled. In this case it is the design of the west front that is particularly impressive. It was consecrated in 1959.
Exterior Description
The church is designed in a pre-War interpretation of the neo-Classical with an Italianate feel, most clearly expressed in the west front facing the street, with a traditional Sussex tower with low-pitched pyramidal roof and cross finial. The style is Romanesque, but the ‘volutes’ which link the tower to the blocks to either side recall those in the west fronts of Italian baroque churches. There is a square-headed doorway with projecting lintel below a row of three round-headed lancets, narrow slit openings in triplets to the belfry and a single louvred square opening under the eaves in the west face. The nave has a shallow-pitched roof which continues over the chancel, the aisles are very narrow. The clearstorey fenestration is of single narrow pointed lancets, the aisles have small rectangular 2-lights.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century Five-bay aisled
Chancel
20th century
Tower (component)
20th century west
Building Materials
Brick
20th century walls, red
Concrete
20th century dressings
Tile
20th century Roman, roofs
Steel
20th century infrastructure
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, the interior is whitewashed, which together with the ‘cruck construction’ roof suggests a tent. The light-filled interior of this small church has an inviting and friendly feel. The roof runs from one end of the building to the other, unifying the space of nave and chancel. There is a gallery at the west end of the church with a panelled front. The aisles are mere passages. The stone floor of the chancel is raised two steps above the wooden one in the nave. The 19th century choir stalls and benches in the nave came from the now demolished church of St Margaret, Brighton, and are of no special quality. Organ loft and vestry off the chancel to the north.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Oak table.
Pulpit
20th century The pulpit is of oak, hexagonal, nicely detailed, designed and given by the architect.
Lectern
20th century Wooden.
Font (component)
20th century Stone font, octagonal, brought from the Catholic Apostolic Church.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century The glass dates to the 1960s by H Warren Wilson, and is typically uncompromising. • East window King of Kings, just the stern face, a bold statement • Baptistery, Holy Spirit descending • Staircase to gallery, Lord’s prayer • Various Saints
Organ (component)
20th century The organ, incorporating pipes from St Saviour’s, Ditchling Road, is housed in two cases, one on each side of the chancel. The cases, which are one of the best features of the interior, were designed by Michael Copley who also built the organ. It was dedicated in 1987.
Stall
20th century Choir stalls with carved side panels.
Rail
20th century Wood, light.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 308 82
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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