Saint Saviour

Picture of Church members on trip to Walsingham Image of inside Church View of church from Warren Hill

'Forward in Faithfulness to God and Service to the Community'

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Parish History

History of S. Saviour and S. Peter's Church, Eastbourne

By the middle of the nineteenth century, Eastbourne was a growing town noted for its healthy climate. The railway had arrived in 1849 and an increasing number of people were choosing to live in the town or spend their holidays here. The Duke of Devonshire, who owned much of the land, was laying out a new town with wide streets, italianate terraces and fashionable villas. The old parish church of St Mary the Virgin was at some distance from the new town so the Duke gave land for the building of a new church which was completed in 1867.

The architect was George Edmund Street RA who designed many churches at the time when the Church of England was rediscovering its Catholic heritage through the Oxford Movement. Hence the design of the church emphasises the centrality of the eucharist, surrounding the altar with glorious decoration in the form of colourful mosaics and fine stained glass windows

Two local benefactors, Harriot Manby and George Whelpton provided the money to build the new church, on the stipulation that Whelpton's son Henry should become its first vicar. On 31st January 1867 the Bishop of Chichester consecrated Eastbourne's new Church of the Holy Saviour amid splendid ceremony and excitement.

In 1971 the nearby daughter church of St Peter's was demolished and the two parishes were combined as Saint Saviour's and Saint Peter's Eastbourne. A statue of St Peter is now installed in a chapel dedicated to his name to celebrate the memory of this former church and its faithful worshippers.

St Peter's Chapel and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel were beautifully refurbished and rededicated in October 2001, largely through the generous bequest of John Baxter, former verger.

See below for a brief chronology

Guide Books with many beautiful colour photographs may be purchased from S. Saviour's Bookstall, South Street, Eastbourne, price £2.50

St Saviour's Eastbourne: Brief Chronology

1797	George Whelpton is born at Thimbleby in Lincolnshire
1835	Whelptons Pills established at Louth. George invests his profits with considerable success in railways, banking and housing developments. George Whelpton and Son is a well known 'patent medicine' manufacturer for more than a century.
1833	Henry Robert Whelpton, George's youngest son is born at Louth. He is educated privately and at St John's College, Cambridge.
1858	H. R. Whelpton is ordained Priest at St Paul's Cathedral. He is an assistant curate at Shoreditch, London followed by appointments in Slough and Salisbury.
1863	Iron Church opened, sited on the present Hardwick Road/South Street eastern corner. It was used to relieve overcrowding at Holy Trinity Church.
1865	H.R. Whelpton moves to Eastbourne with his family in the spring to prepare for the new District Church. It will be paid for by his father who is now living in retirement at Hastings. Foundation stone laid on 17th October by William Thompson Whelpton brother of Henry Robert Whelpton.
1866	Temporary church dismantled at end of summer visitors season.
1867	Consecration of the new church on 31st January by the Bishop of Chichester. A 'District Chapelry' of Saint Saviour is established within the ancient Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Eastbourne
1870s	Internal decoration begins, continuing until the early 20th Century. It is funded by individual benefactors and gifts from the congregation.
1872	Steeple completes George Edmund Street's original design.
1878	Saint Peter's chapel of ease opened at back of present Town Hall. The choir school is established, continuing until 1937.
1874	Day school founded serving children living locally until the Second World War.
1892	Full Parish status achieved. Saint Saviour's is now independent of Saint Mary's.
1896	Permanent Saint Peter's Church opened in Meads Road. Two separate 'New Parishes' have now been create
1903	Chapel opened leading off south aisle.
1920	Sacrament house completed
1937	New reredos is dedicated. It is a memorial to Henry Urling Whelpton, second Incumbent, son of the first Vicar.
1940s	Wartime bombing. Most of the glass is destroyed. The organ is severely damaged
1943	Keble College, Oxford becomes Patron of the Living after a transfer from the Whelpton family.
1950s	Restoration of war damage. Organ repositioned at West end.1957 Church room opened.
1971	Parishes combined. Saint Peter's is demolished. Redman King House now occupies the site.
1980s	Reordering of the Sanctuary commences, reflecting changes in the Liturgy. A permanent reordering, including a Nave altar, is completed in 1993 as a memorial to Derek William Allen, Vicar 1976-1991.
1990s	Restoration of the Victorian internal decoration begins.
2000s	Refurbishment of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel as a memorial to John Baxter, former verger

Where to find us

Address: St Saviour's Church, South Street, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UT

Telephone: 01323 722317 (Vicarage) 01323 729702 (Vestry)

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