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South Street - ALIVE!

At the turn of the 19th. century, (1890's), there was a growing congregation of christians meeting in Grove Hall, Saffrons Road looking for a permanent place to worship. Their Pastor was the Rev. George Thompson. They had left Pevensey Road Congregational Church in 1897 and moved to Grove Hall, formerly St. Peters Church, which they hired from the Council. Whilst there they designed and built the present Church.

Eastbourne was expanding rapidly at the turn of the century and so did the "New Congregational Church". From a nucleus of 5,000 Eastbourne grew to a town of 50,000 so it is not difficult to imagine new members attending the Church month by month until the membership approached 200. The Rev. George Thompson was obviously a man of drive and enthusiasm and he led his congregation into its new building in 1904. He retired in 1907. In 1914 the Trustees of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion assumed responsibility for the building and the Rev. J. Westbury Jones became the Minister.

Unfortunately the Great War of 1914-18 played havoc with the manpower and 42 joined the Forces of whom 7 were killed in action. The Rev. Frederick Hastings was appointed in 1918 and conducted his ministry until 1938. Again the War, 1939-45, caused the Church to be closed for 5 years. The Rev. Samuel Gardiner was appointed to re-organise. Everything needed attention including the fabric of the building. Pastor John Lewis ministered for a short time. He went home after an evening of visitation and died suddenly.

The Rev. W.A. Sinden was appointed in 1957 and continued until his death in 1970. Mr. Roger Davies, the Manager of the Eastbourne Christian Bookshop became Pastor, and the Church began to grow numerically. He left to go to Bible College and then became Pastor of the Countess Church in Ely. The Rev. Michael Cox was appointed from Eldon Road Baptist Church, but owing to illness his ministry was of short duration.

In 1983 the Rev. K.P. Morey, who had been a missionary in Japan for many years, became the Minister and under his ministry the Church continued to thrive. He left at the end of July 1993 to undertake missionary work in Romania.

After a 4-year interegnum, Ewart Helyar, who had retired from Lindfield Free Church, came as the Pastor for 3 years. In April 2000 he became part-time and continued in office until his retirement in August 2005.

The present Pastor is Philip Laver who was inducted in September 2005. Philip was previously Pastor of the Javea International Baptist Church in Spain before taking up the appointment in Eastbourne.

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