Nominal: 1139 Hz Weight: 496 lbs Diameter: 28.63" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Darbie 1680
Dove Bell ID: 60318 Tower ID: 23645 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
St Leonards-on-Sea: St Leonard
Diocese of Chichester
Closed Church, 610424
This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2024-11-14)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 796 88
Built in 1953-61 to designs by Sir Giles and Adrian Gilbert Scott, replacing a Victorian church destroyed by a Doodlebug in World War II. Contemporary blocks to the north and south sides flank the church which is set into the cliff behind, framing the view from the beach.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay nave and chancel with west tower, south vestry and south extension.
Dimensions:
Chancel 8.7m by 10.8m, nave 23.85m by 11.8m, aisles 22.5m by 1.57m, tower 4.85m by 11.2m, flanking compartments 4.85m by 3.25m.
Footprint of Church buildings: 694 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Hastings was one of Sussex's largest and most important Medieval towns. St Leonard’s was a separate parish with its own church, but this was demolished in the 15th century, although the parish name remained and lent itself to the later seaside resort. As Hastings recovered from an 18th-century slump and started to become fashionable and well patronised again in the early 19th century, speculative development was encouraged. James Burton, father of the more famous Decimus Burton was the driving force behind the development of St Leonard’s as a resort in the 1830s. Decimus Burton was responsible for many of the finer buildings, including what is now called the Royal Victoria Hotel.
James Burton was however the architect of the first church on the site of the present St Leonard’s. It was the only church he designed, completed in 1834 in the late Gothic style. It was built within an old quarry, and was damaged on several occasions by landslides from the surrounding cliff, at one point requiring the rebuilding of the chancel on a smaller footprint. A new parish was created for the church in 1868, after which the church was officially a parish church with its own Rector.
This church was destroyed by an errant VI Doodlebug rocket in 1944 during World War II. The new church was built in 1953-61 to designs by Sir Giles and Adrian Gilbert Scott, who stated "no architect could wish for a more romantic or inspiring site on which to build a church”. However, the site was forced upon them by the conditions of the War Damage grant, which insisted on this, despite the recurring problems with the cliffs. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone laid the foundation stone in 1953 and the building was complete in 1961, the tower being built last – a planned belfry was never realised, perhaps through lack of funds.
More landslips from the cliff occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, and revetting had to be built around the church. The church was listed in 1998. At this time the building's future was said to be uncertain and closure was considered, a PM report by Hugh Richmond was compiled (PM1829). The western two bays were converted into a meeting room and facilities in the 1990s. Damage was caused by an electrical fire in 2003. The church is now in a parish with St Ethelburga’s. Despite all this, the church has continued in use and the congregation has grown, with strong outreach in the area.
The archaeological potential of the site is moderate, mainly for the footprint of the preceding church and possibly burials. There are no known designations relating to the ecology of the plot.
Exterior Description
The church is designed in a simplified modernistic version of Late Gothic, with the parabolic arches so popular at this period, here very appropriate as it is reminiscent of an upturned boat’s hull. The dominant feature is the western tower, with the main entrance through triple doors, square headed with three small lights over each, set within a tall parabolic arch with late Gothic mouldings dying into the jambs. Tall 3-light traceried pointed west window, above this a cross-shaped window. Flat parapet with miniature corner turrets.
Pantiled low pitched roof to the eaves. North and south walls with tall 2-light traceried pointed windows, the chancel has a window of three lights on the south side similar to that at the west but with one more tier of tracery. The tracery throughout is badly eroded in many places. Blind east wall facing the cliff.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 5-bay
Chancel
20th century
Tower (component)
20th century
Vestry
20th century south
Building Materials
Brick
20th century buff facing
Concrete
20th century frame
Sandstone
20th century Clipsham sandstone dressings
Pantile
20th century roofs
Wood
20th century temporary building on south side
Interior
Interior Description
As one enters, the two west bays have been converted into a vestibule with a small kitchen and servery, with a solid wooden screen with double doors into the worship area. There are toilets and several useful spaces, including the west gallery above, recently used as a youth meeting / sports room.
The worship space is light and welcoming, white walls and light blue ceiling and carpets. Tall parabolic arches to the chancel and sanctuary, and passage aisles set in internal buttresses with transverse vaulting to each bay. Bracing against the north wall to help hold back the cliff. Lower part of the walls clad in green coloured stone finished in a wave pattern to symbolise the sea; the wave dado rises behind the altar and is surmounted by an incised and painted cross; upper walls plastered. Moveable benches in the nave. Solid low chancel wall of green stone, with a broad opening in the centre.
Fixtures and fittings
Pulpit
20th century The pulpit is incorporated into this wall at the north-western corner of the chancel. It is in the form of a prow of a boat, in varnished timber, continuing the maritime theme. It was said to have been brought by the vicar from the Holy Land.
Lectern
20th century The lectern is a converted ship’s navigational instrument from the ship which brought it, a brass binnacle with a wooden alms bowl substituted for the compass.
Altar
20th century Timber altar with central pedestal set against east wall.
Stall
20th century Limed oak neo-Gothic choir stalls in chancel, in which some Victorian work appears to be reused.
Font (component)
20th century The font and cover are in the form of a ship’s wheel. It was designed and carved by John Reid ARCA. It is cylindrical and carved from a solid block of elm, which is worked with a depiction of the adoration of the Magi. The domed cover is also solid elm and carries a carving of a lamb.
Organ (component)
20th century The organ was built by Morgan and Smith of Brighton. The pipes are displayed on the sanctuary wall, painted blue.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century Modern figurative stained glass to several windows by Patrick Reyntiens, who worked with John Piper on the stained glass in the baptistery of Coventry Cathedral. All the subjects are standing figures in rectangular panels, and very good.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 796 88
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.
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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