Church of St Thomas More, Seaford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St Thomas More
The church from the northwest
50°46′26″N 0°06′26″E / 50.7739°N 0.1073°E / 50.7739; 0.1073
Location	54 Sutton Road, Seaford, East Sussex BN25 1SS
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	st-thomas-more.co.uk
History
Status	Church
Founded	1935
Dedication	Thomas More
Events	1969: extended by Henry Bingham Towner
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	James O'Hanlon Hughes; Geoffrey Welch
Completed	12 March 1936
Administration
Parish	Seaford
Deanery	Eastbourne
Diocese	Arundel and Brighton

The Church of St Thomas More is a Roman Catholic church in Seaford, East Sussex, England. It has a congregation of around 200 people, and the current parish priest is Father Paul Jennings.

Layout

The church is built in the traditional shape of a cross, with four aisles and the altar facing the parishioners at the head. The north aisle is the longest, as it stretches around the side of the altar. The two central aisles are directly facing the altar, whilst the south aisle is facing the lady altar. The south aisle also has the confessional and a library at the back. The church has an organ-loft, which is used when the church becomes very busy. At the front, is a small ashes cemetery and a car park. The church has two entrances, one of which is used regularly and another for special occasions only. The priest's house is connected to the church, as is the parish hall.

History

At the beginning of the century, Seaford had only six Roman Catholics. Shortly after, the Bishop of Southwark, Francis Bourne, built a chapel dedicated to St Francis de Sales, next to his holiday home, which was called Annecy. In 1903, a group of nuns, called the Sisters of Providence, bought it and turned it into a convent and school.

Mass was regularly led by Father Berchmans, but he died suddenly in 1927. The Bishop then appointed Fr. Reginald Webb as the first parish priest. As the Catholic population of 100 was now too big for the chapel, they moved to the hall in Annecy School. Numbers continued to rise and in 1935, a new church was founded. It was opened on 12 March 1936. The overall cost was £10,000 and by now, attendance figures had risen to 250.

In 1962, Father Webb died and was replaced as parish priest, by Fr William Guinane. In 1970, he lengthened the south aisle and added a north aisle and tower. In 1965, the church became part of the newly formed Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. In 1980, Fr Kenneth McCarthy took over from Fr William Guinane and became the third parish priest. He built a hall and car park, before being replaced in 1990 by Father Chris Benyon, due to ill health.

Father Chris Benyon supported musical groups at the church. In 1999, he left the parish and Father Tony Churchill stepped in. In 2004, Annecy school celebrated its centenary, in a service with over 500 people led by Bishop Kerian Conry. Father Niven Richardson replaced Father Tony Churchill as parish priest in 2007.

The church is licensed for worship in accordance with the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855 and has the registration number 56568.

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-)