St Mary Star of the Sea Church, Hastings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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| St Mary Star of the Sea Church | |
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| 50°51′34″N 0°35′40″E / 50.8595°N 0.5944°E | |
| OS grid reference | TQ8268209871 |
| Location | Hastings, East Sussex |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.stmarystarofthesea.net |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Dedication | Our Lady, Star of the Sea |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 14 September 1976 |
| Architect(s) | Basil Champneys |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1882 |
| Completed | 2 July 1883 |
| Construction cost | £15,000 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | St Leonards-on-Sea |
| Diocese | Arundel and Brighton |
| Province | Southwark |
St Mary Star of the Sea Church is a Roman Catholic church in Hastings, East Sussex, England. It was built between 1882 and 1883. A famous architect named Basil Champneys designed it. You can find the church on High Street, right in the Old Town.
This church was started by a group called the Pallottines. It is a special building because it's a 'Grade II listed building.' This means it's an important historical place that needs to be protected. A group called English Heritage described the church as a "well crafted building of high quality."
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
A poet named Coventry Patmore helped a lot with the money to build this church. He and his wife moved to Hastings in 1875. After his wife, Marianne, passed away in 1880, he talked to the Pallottines. He wanted to help them build a church in Hastings.
The Pallottines bought the land for the church. It used to be an old farmhouse between High Street and The Bourne. Mr. Patmore decided to give £5,300 towards the building. The church needed to pay the rest of the £15,000 total cost.
Building the Church
In 1882, the first stone for the church was laid. This special event was led by Dr. William Weathers, who was a bishop. The architect, Basil Champneys, was a friend of Mr. Patmore.
The church was built on top of a crypt. A crypt is like a basement or an underground room. While the church was being built, people used the crypt for Mass. Mass is a special church service.
On July 2, 1883, the church officially opened. After the church was finished, the space under it was used as a school until 1955. This was St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School. It later moved to a new location. In 1891, the reredos and altar of St Mary's Church were dedicated. A reredos is a decorated screen behind the altar. The altar is the table where Mass is celebrated. These two parts cost £1,500.
Church Services
The Pallottines still lead the services at St Mary Star of the Sea Church today. There are three Sunday Masses every weekend:
- Saturday at 6:00 PM
- Sunday at 10:00 AM
- Sunday at 11:30 AM
Also, on the first Sunday of every month, there is a Mass in Polish at 6:00 PM. Weekday Masses are held from Tuesday to Saturday at 10:00 AM.
More to Explore
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
- List of places of worship in Hastings
