St Mark's Church, Brighton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Mark's Church
The church from the southeast
50°49′03″N 0°06′43″W / 50.8176°N 0.1120°W / 50.8176; -0.1120
Location	Eastern Road/Church Place, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove BN2 5JF
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
History
Status	Church
Founded	1838
Founder(s)	Frederick Hervey, 1st Marquess of Bristol
Dedication	Mark the Evangelist
Consecrated	21 September 1849
Architecture
Functional status	Chapel & Arts Centre of St Mary’s Hall School
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Designated	26 August 1999
Architect(s)	Unattributed; possibly George Cheesman Jr., Thomas Cooper or Thomas Shelbourne; additions by W. Gilbert Scott
Style	Early English Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	1838
Completed	1849
Construction cost	£4,800
Closed	29 April 1986
Specifications
Materials	Stone, ashlar, concrete

St Mark's Church is a building in Kemptown, Brighton, England. It used to be a Christian church.

It was first meant to be a private chapel for the nearby St Mary's Hall school. Building started in 1838 because Frederick Hervey, 1st Marquess of Bristol wanted it.

However, there were disagreements about whether the church should also be open to the public. This delayed its completion for over 10 years.

In 1873, it became the main church for the Kemptown area. But fewer people started attending services. So, in 1986, it was decided the church was no longer needed for regular worship.

At that time, the school took over the building. It became their chapel, almost 150 years after it was first planned to be. The church is built in a style called Early English Gothic Revival. Even though some experts have criticized its design, it is a Grade II listed building. This means it's an important historical and architectural site.

The Story of St Mark's Church

How the Church Began

In the early 1800s, Brighton was growing very fast. New homes were built between the fancy Kemp Town area and the older town center. This new area became known as Kemptown.

A man named Frederick Hervey, 1st Marquess of Bristol bought a lot of land here. He was very interested in building churches and helping others. In 1837, he gave land next to St Mary's Hall School for a new church.

Building started in 1838. The Marquess spent a lot of money to get it built quickly. But problems soon came up. The church leaders had only agreed for it to be a private chapel for the school. They did not want it open to everyone. Also, the main vicar of Brighton thought it was too close to another church.

These arguments went on for several years. Finally, a special group called the Commissioners for Building New Churches took charge.

Building Continues

Construction was allowed to start again in 1848. Everyone agreed that the church could be used for public worship. The Bishop of Chichester officially opened the church on September 21, 1849.

No one is completely sure who the architect was. Some think it was George Cheesman Jr. or Thomas Cooper. The builder, Thomas Shelbourne, might have helped with the design too. The church cost about £4,800 to build. Most of this money came from the Marquess and Reverend Elliott.

Church Life and Changes

The church could hold over 1,000 people. About half of the seats were free, meaning people didn't have to pay to sit there. In the past, churches often charged "pew rents" for seats. This system was stopped in 1930.

In 1853, Reverend Edward Bishop Elliott became the vicar. He stayed in charge until he passed away in 1875. A special stone was placed in the church to remember him. There is also a stone for the Marquess of Bristol, who died in 1859. People also paid for a new window in the church to honor the Marquess.

In 1848, three bells were put in the church tower. Three more were added in 1867 when a clock was finally installed. In 1888, a house for the vicar was built next to the church.

Bigger changes happened between 1891 and 1892. A new vicar asked an architect named W. Gilbee Scott to add more parts to the church. These included a chancel (the area around the altar), a vestry (a room for clergy), a south transept (a part that sticks out like an arm of a cross), and a room for the organ. The galleries inside the church were also changed.

Becoming a School Chapel

In 1873, St Mark's officially became the main church for Kemptown. But by the 1980s, fewer and fewer people were coming to services. So, in 1986, the church leaders decided the building was no longer needed for regular church services.

The building was then given to St Mary's Hall School. It became their private chapel, arts center, and concert hall. This meant that almost 150 years later, the church was finally being used for its original purpose!

What the Church Looks Like

The east end undergoing restoration in 2008

Some famous experts on buildings have said that St Mark's Church has an unusual design. One expert called its stone "terrible." Another thought its style was "deplorable." This is partly because it was built earlier than many other churches of its time. Also, the people who started it had older ideas about church design.

The church is built in a style called Early English Gothic Revival. It uses a mix of concrete, stone, and ashlar (finely cut stone). The concrete was made to look like a type of stone called Kentish Ragstone. Some parts are covered in stucco to look like ashlar. The newer parts added in the late 1800s use real ashlar. The corners of the concrete sections have stone blocks called quoins.

The side of the church facing Eastern Road has tall, narrow windows called lancet windows. It also has small supports called buttresses. The other side looks the same. The tower, with its pointed top called a spire, is at the west end. It also has lancet windows and corner buttresses. There are porches on either side of the tower. All the roofs are made of slate.

Inside, the main part of the church, called the nave, and its side areas, called aisles, were once one big open space. They were separated by thin metal columns. A stone arch led to the chancel, which had a special window. The vestry was on one side of the chancel, and the organ room was on the other.

The galleries, which were like balconies, used to run around three sides of the inside. They were held up by columns with grooves in them. These galleries were changed a lot in the 1890s.

St Mark's Church Today

St Mark's Church was made a Grade II listed building on August 26, 1999. This means it is protected because of its special history and architecture. It is one of many important buildings in Brighton and Hove.

Today, St Mary's Hall School owns the church. Reverend Henry Venn Elliott started the school in 1836. The school building was designed in an Early Tudor style.

The school has made some changes inside the church. Now, part of it is used as an arts center and concert hall. But it is still mainly used for religious services for the school. There are also plans for more changes to make the arts center bigger and open it to groups from outside the school.

See also

• Grade II listed buildings in Brighton and Hove: S
• List of places of worship in Brighton and Hove