Herstmonceux Free Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Herstmonceux Free Church
The chapel in September 2023
50°53′8.0″N 0°19′40.1″E / 50.885556°N 0.327806°E / 50.885556; 0.327806
Location	Herstmonceux, East Sussex
Country	England
Denomination	Congregational Federation
History
Founded	1811 (1811)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II
Designated	1966

Herstmonceux Free Church is a special church located in the village of Herstmonceux in East Sussex, England. It is known as a "free church" because it is independent and not part of the main Church of England. This church has been a place of worship for a very long time, first built in 1811.

What is a Free Church?

A Free Church is a Christian church that is not officially connected to the government or a national church. This means they make their own rules and decisions. Herstmonceux Free Church is part of the Congregational Federation. This group believes that each local church should be self-governing. They decide how they want to worship and run their community.

History of the Building

The church building on Chapel Row was first built in 1811. This makes it over 200 years old! Over the years, it has been a central part of the Herstmonceux community. In 1966, the building was given a special status called "Grade II listed" by English Heritage. This means it is considered an important building because of its history or architecture. Being Grade II listed helps protect the building so it can be enjoyed for many more years.

Church Life Today

Herstmonceux Free Church is still very active today. It has about 40 members who regularly attend services and events. The church aims to be a welcoming place for everyone in the community. They hold regular services and often have activities for different age groups.