Church Heritage Record 610037

The Church was originally known as St George’s Chapel and was built in 1824/25 to the design of Charles Augustus Busby for Thomas Kemp. Busby had to that point travelled fairly extensively, principally to America, but was one of the Brighton Architects responsible for much of the development of Brighton and Hove after entering into a partnership with A.H. Wilds. Kemp Town subsequently takes its name from the developer and early 19th Century entrepreneur Kemp, and to this day is home to the Kemp Town Society. 

The interior has been altered (approximately 1890) in that the small but robust ionic columns that supported the balcony and the barrel vaulted ceiling above have been replaced at both levels with slender cast iron columns.

Amounting to the most recent significant addition, the Chancel/Sanctuary is defined at ground floor level on the North East and South East sides by enclosed vestries, the first floor above being within simple rendered walls pierced by semi circular arches with elegant mouldings and details.

At the very end of the last Century the underfloor area Westwards from the Peel Crypt was enlarged to form the Kemp Town Crypt Community Centre.

The building is constructed with creamy yellow bricks between a rendered, painted plinth and parapet with cornice and intermediate string course that were originally formed from Roman Cement. The fenestration on the two floors and of matching form and proportions is arranged in regular bays.

The glazing is principally near square leaded lights, both tinted and clear, now supported for the most part on recently redesigned powdered coated stainless steel frames with much improved intrinsic strength. Opening casements are limited (both in scope and number) to the South elevation at ground floor level, and the North and East elevations at first floor level. The windows have shallow brick arches and painted stone cills, the East elevation is less plain than the twolong/side elevations, and contains the centrally positioned Bath Stone Chancel window with painted and rendered details below a rendered and painted pediment. The said Bath Stone was uncovered during a recent phase of conservation repair. Only the two ground floor East elevation windows include window guards

The West elevation is far more elaborate with the entrance recessed and flanked by impressive iconic columns that support the rendered and painted entablature. Above this is the elegant square bell turret with cupola, with clock faces on three sides and a single bell.

The roof, while not visible from ground level, is weathered in Welsh slate with the hips and ridge weathered in lead. The roof drains to lead parapet gutters and into cast iron hoppers and rainwater pipes – an installation of photovoltaics was completed in 2012 alongside a conservation repair project relating to the exterior.

The building is fairly typical of its period, including a single rectangular worship space with balconies along the North and South sides, and also formed at the West end in an elegant semi-circle arrangement that includes a further level that is affectionately known as the `Fishermen’s Gallery` - a term used in a number of Sussex coastal churches. A small chapel space formed beneath the cupula at the same level as the main gallery, and is used for small mid-week services. The interior has been altered (approximately 1890) in that the small but robust ionic columns that supported the balcony and the barrel vaulted ceiling above have been replaced at both levels with slender cast iron columns. 

Amounting to the most recent significant addition, the Chancel/Sanctuary is defined at ground floor level on the North East and South East sides by enclosed vestries, the first floor above being within simple rendered walls pierced by semi circular arches with elegant mouldings and details. The stone dais continues to a carpeted high altar, of which includes a well appointed oak reredos. The significance of the space is further compounded by an arched window above – it containing the only stained glass within the building. The worship space includes a North and South aisle that extends between the West end lobbies and East end Vestries, and are further defined by the gallery above and the columns that support it.