St Stephen's Church, Brighton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Stephen's Church |
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The building from the southwest
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| 50°49′36″N 0°09′11″W / 50.8266°N 0.1531°W | |
| Location | Montpelier Place, Montpelier, Brighton and Hove BN1 3BF |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Royal Pavilion Chapel; Diocesan Institute for the Deaf and Dumb |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1822 (as private chapel); 1851 (as St Stephen's Church) |
| Dedication | Saint Stephen |
| Dedicated | 25 July 1851 |
| Consecrated | 11 June 1852 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Day centre for homeless people |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Designated | 31 October 1952 |
| Architect(s) | John Crunden; remodelled by Arthur Blomfield |
| Style | Classical |
| Closed | 1939 (as St Stephen's Church); 1974 (as Diocesan Institute for the Deaf and Dumb) |
St Stephen's Church is a building in Brighton, England, that has had many different uses over the years. It started as a fancy ballroom in 1766. Later, it became a private chapel for a king, then a public church, and even a school for people who are deaf. Today, it helps people who are homeless. This building is very old and important, so it is protected as a Grade II* listed building.
Contents
The Building's Amazing Journey
Brighton became a popular place in the mid-1700s. People came to drink and bathe in the seawater, thinking it was good for their health. This made the small fishing village grow into a fashionable town.
From Ballroom to Royal Chapel
In 1752, an inn called the Castle Inn opened in Brighton. It became very popular. In 1766, a large ballroom was added, designed by John Crunden. This ballroom was huge, about 24 meters long and 12 meters wide. It was one of the best places for social events in England for many years.
But by the early 1800s, the inn became less popular. In 1815, the Prince Regent (who later became King George IV) bought parts of the building. He bought the rest by 1822. The inn was then taken down, but the ballroom was kept.
The ballroom was turned into a private chapel for the King. It was part of his nearby home, the Royal Pavilion. The chapel opened on January 1, 1822. Only invited guests could attend services there. The inside was changed to look more like a chapel, with an organ and special seating for the King.
Becoming St Stephen's Church
When Queen Victoria became queen in 1837, she didn't like the Royal Pavilion as much. The government even thought about tearing it down. But the people of Brighton wanted to save it. In 1850, the town bought the land, including the chapel.
Because the chapel was used for Anglican worship, the church leaders decided to move it. They took the building apart, brick by brick, and rebuilt it about 1.6 kilometers away in Montpelier Place. This was finished in 1851. The inside stayed mostly the same, but the outside got a new, smooth finish in the Classical style.
The church opened to the public as St Stephen's on July 25, 1851. It could hold over 700 people. It became a church for many people, especially those who were not rich.
Later Changes and New Uses
Over the next 90 years, some small changes were made inside the church. In 1868, a porch and a small room for the clergy were added. New items like a lectern (where readings are given) and an pulpit (where sermons are preached) were also put in. Arthur Blomfield did more work on the building in 1889.
In 1939, St Stephen's Church closed. It was then used as a center for people who are deaf. In 1974, this center moved to a new location.
In 1988, a group that helps people find homes bought the building. They turned it into the First Base Day Centre for homeless people. Soon after it opened, a fire damaged the inside, but it was fixed.
Building Style and Features
The original ballroom, designed by John Crunden, had a special style called the Adam style. You can still see parts of this style inside the building today. The walls had fancy decorations and columns.
When the building was moved, it got a new front in the Classical style. This part faces Montpelier Place. It has columns and a triangular top section. The sides of the building have arched windows. The porch, which was added later, also has arched windows and a main entrance door.
St Stephen's Today
St Stephen's Church was given a special status on October 13, 1952. It is now a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important building with a lot of history. In Brighton and Hove, there are many listed buildings, and St Stephen's is one of the most important ones.
The building is now known as the First Base Day Centre. It is run by the Brighton Housing Trust. This center helps about 100 homeless people every day. They have made some changes inside the building to make it work well for its current use.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Brighton and Hove
- List of places of worship in Brighton and Hove
Sources
- Full text at Internet Archive (archive.org).
- First published 1750 as De Tabe Glandulari. Full text at Google Books.
