Church of St Thomas More, Seaford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Thomas More |
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The church from the northwest
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| 50°46′26″N 0°06′26″E / 50.7739°N 0.1073°E | |
| Location | 54 Sutton Road, Seaford, East Sussex BN25 1SS |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Dedication | Thomas More |
| Events | 1969: extended by Henry Bingham Towner |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) |
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| Completed | 12 March 1936 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Seaford |
| Deanery | Eastbourne |
| Diocese | Arundel and Brighton |
The Church of St Thomas More is a Catholic church located in Seaford, a town in East Sussex, England. It serves as the main parish church for the local Catholic community. Around 200 people attend services here regularly. The current leader of the church is Deacon Stephen Sharpe.
Contents
Church Layout and Design
The Church of St Thomas More is built in a traditional cross shape. This design is common for churches and helps organize the space. Inside, there are four main paths, called aisles. The altar, which is a special table used for services, faces the people attending.
The north aisle is the longest, stretching around the side of the altar. Two central aisles lead directly towards the altar. The south aisle faces the "lady altar," a smaller altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In the back of the south aisle, you'll find a quiet room for confessions and a small library.
The church also has an organ-loft, which is a raised area for the organ. This space is used when many people come to church. Outside, there is a small cemetery for ashes and a car park for visitors. The church has two entrances, but one is used more often than the other. The priest's house and the parish hall are both connected to the church building.
A Look at the Church's History
Early Days and Growth
At the start of the 1900s, there were very few Catholic people living in Seaford, only about six. However, things soon began to change. The Bishop of Southwark, Francis Bourne, built a small chapel next to his holiday home. This chapel was named after St Francis de Sales.
In 1903, a group of nuns, called the Sisters of Providence, bought the property. They turned it into a convent and a school. Services were regularly held there by Father Berchmans. Sadly, he passed away suddenly in 1927.
A New Parish and Building
After Father Berchmans' death, Father Reginald Webb was appointed as the first parish priest. By this time, the Catholic community in Seaford had grown to about 100 people. The small chapel was no longer big enough for everyone. So, they moved their services to the hall at Annecy School.
The number of churchgoers continued to increase. Because of this growth, a new church building was needed. The foundation for the new Church of St Thomas More was laid in 1935. It officially opened its doors on March 12, 1936. The total cost to build the church was £10,000. By the time it opened, attendance had risen to 250 people.
Changes and New Leaders
In 1962, Father Webb died. Father William Guinane took over as the new parish priest. In 1970, he oversaw some important additions to the church. He made the south aisle longer and added a new north aisle and a tower. In 1965, the church became part of the newly formed Diocese of Arundel and Brighton.
Father William Guinane was replaced by Father Kenneth McCarthy in 1980. Father McCarthy became the third parish priest. During his time, he built a new hall and car park for the church. In 1990, Father Chris Benyon took over from Father McCarthy due to his ill health.
Father Chris Benyon was a big supporter of musical groups at the church. In 1999, he left the parish, and Father Tony Churchill became the new priest. In 2004, Annecy School celebrated its 100th anniversary. A special service was held with over 500 people, led by Bishop Kerian Conry. Father Niven Richardson replaced Father Tony Churchill as parish priest in 2007.
Past Parish Priests
- Fr Reginald Webb (1927–1962)
- Fr William Guinane (1963–1980)
- Fr Kenneth McCarthy (1980–1990)
- Fr Chris Benyon (1990–1999)
- Fr Anthony Churchill (1999–2007)
- Fr Niven Richardson (2007–2011)
- Fr Paul Jennings (2011–2019)
- Fr Ian Byrnes (2019-2022)
- Deacon Stephen Sharpe (2022-)
