Churches - Bevendean History Project
Newspaper Articles for St Andrews Church 1932
Treats to Sunday School Children
Monday evening saw the completion of the Christmas treats to the Sunday School children of St Andrews Church, Moulsecombe.Four separate days were necessary to cater for the 670 children who attended. On each occasion, after a substantial tea, the tables were cleared away and an entertainment was given. The seniors were entertained by Mrs Burroughs, the Juvenile Foresters’ Concert Party, and Mr Gracey; and the infants by magic lantern slides and games.
Each guest was presented, on leaving, with a bag of sweets and oranges, and the infants each had a small toy as well.
Mrs E. Berrington and Mr Magnus Volk kindly presented prizes for attendance.
The large amount of work necessary for this huge fourfold party was cheerfully undertaken by the teachers of St Georges Hall, and members of the Mothers Union.
More teachers are badly needed for this large parish.
Brighton & Hove Herald – 30 January 1932
Vicar of Moulsecombe Lecture
The
Vicar of Moulsecombe (the Rev L. G. Berrington), in the first of a
series of lectures, on Tuesday, at St Georges Hall, North Moulsecombe,
spoke to an interested audience on the subject, “Is Organised
Religion Necessary?” Mr Berrington expressed the hope that the
lectures would bring out points for discussion, and he invited all
interested, whether sympathetic or otherwise, to attend and
“thrash matters out.”The Vicar said that organized and corporate religion is necessary on all grounds for the spreading of religion and for effect to be given to religion. Worship is natural to man, and keeps him in touch with the Source of Power. Public worship pictures ideals, and binds in love all who take part.
Brighton & Hove Herald – 30 January 1932
MOULSECOMBE CHURCH LADS’ BRIGADE
The
St Andrews Moulsecombe Company of the Church Lads Brigade held their
annual supper in the Church Hut on Tuesday evening. Lieutenant J. Brown
(Officer Commanding) occupied the chair, supported by Lieutenants H.
Crook and A. Capon. About fifty sat down to supper, the guests
including Colonel C. F. Standing, Captain Arnold (C.L.B. Adjutant),
Captain C. M. Thomas, C.A., the Rev L. G. Berrington (Vicar of
Moulsecombe), Mrs E. Berrington, Messrs. W. Batchelor (churchwarden),
M. S. Barton, and H. Trend – past officers of the Company –
Mrs Barton, Mrs trend, and Miss Main.Friends of the Company provided an excellent supper, and afterwards a capital musical programme was sustained by Miss Chismon, Miss Richardson, Miss Joyce Daleman, Captain Thomas, Mr Gracey, Mr Daleman, Mr Buckland, and Master Hubbard.
The Hut had been tastefully decorated by Lieutenant Crook, and the Company are much indebted to the ladies who carried out the catering and waited upon those present.
Brighton & Hove Herald – 6 February 1932
MAYOR’S GIFT TO MOULSECOOMB CHURCH
A Processional Cross
The
Mayor of Brighton (Alderman T. J. Braybon) is to present a processional
cross to St. Andrew’s Church, Moulsecombe, at Evensong on Sunday,
February 28. The circumstances are interesting.A Processional Cross
Some months ago, Alderman Braybon attended a service at St. Andrew’s Church with the then Mayor, Alderman S. C. Thompson. He noticed that the processional cross in use was of a humble kind, and he intimated to the Vicar (the Rev. L. G. Berrington) that he would like to give one which would be more worthy of the church. The offer was gladly accepted.
The Mayor himself and his son, Mr W. V. Braybon, took a personal part in making the cross.
A suitable inscription has been engraved on the ferrule.
It is hoped that there will be a large attendance at the attendance at the church when the cross is presented, in order to encourage the Vicar in his work and show appreciation of the Mayor’s token of goodwill.
Brighton & Hove Herald – 13 February 1932
MOULSECOOMB CHURCH
Commenced After Ten Years Wait
The
past week (writes a correspondent) has been one of outstanding events
in the Church life of Moulsecoomb. At the evening on Monday
Churchwardens staves of office (kindly presented by a lady of the
congregation) were dedicated and placed in position in the church.Commenced After Ten Years Wait
On Tuesday, the Eve of St. Andrew, the members of the congregation met the Vicar (the Rev. L. G. Berrington) at the annual parochial social, in St. George’s Hall, where a most enjoyable time was spent. The Vicar gave a short resume of the past years work and thanked all who had helped in the various organisations of the large and growing parish. Supporting the Vicar were the Rev. S. G. Blaikie (curate), Mr. B. W. Batchelor (Peoples Warden), and Mr. B. J. Johnston (Parochial Secretary). An impromptu concert took place; various members rendered enjoyable solos; and refreshments were served.
But the day of days was Wednesday – St. Andrews Day itself. Many people were present at the early celebration of Holy Communion, which marked the beginning of the Festival. There was a further Communion service at 10 a.m., and at noon there took place an event that will long be remembered – the actual beginning of the permanent Parish Church of Moulsecoomb. A goodly and representative congregation witnessed the ceremony of turning the first spit of ground on the site, as an official commencement of the builder’s excavations.
The service, simple and impressive, was conducted by the Bishop of Chichester (Dr. G. K. A. Bell), attended by the Vicar, the Rev. W. H. Carpenter (formerly curate in change of Moulsecoomb, and now Vicar of Southbourne), and the Rev. S. G. Blaikie. From the church a procession was formed, and wended its way to the site of the new building.
Prayer was offered by the Bishop, and then Mrs Hett proceeded to turn the first piece of ground, thus starting the actual excavation for the foundations of the new church. The outline of the ground plan of the building was marked by flags that fluttered bravely in the fresh breeze. When Mrs Hett had ably completed her task, the Vicar presented her with a replica of the spade which she had used.
The performance of such a ceremony by this lady was truly fitting, for had it not been for the generosity of Mr and Mrs Hett, it would have been impossible to commence the church at such an early date, and Moulsecoomb accords its gratitude to them for their splendid generosity and interest.
Other friends of Moulsecoomb present Included the Bishop of Lewes, Canon Lee of Henfield, Sir Nigel Davidson, the Rev. L. F. Taylor-Milton, Mrs Carpenter, Mr Keir Hett (the architect), Mr Munnion (the builder), and Councillor C. G. Manton.
At Festal Evensong a stirring sermon was given by the Rev. W. H. Carpenter, who reviewed the period since the first Patronal Festival eight years ago, when he came to take spiritual charge or Moulsecoomb. His text was the same now as then, “Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward” - and, said the preacher, Moulsecoomb, under rich Blessings, has indeed gone forward.
Mr Carpenter has lost no whit of his eloquence, and to many of his hearers it seemed that the years had slipped back to 1924. He concluded by urging the spirit of the text upon his hearers that the work of God in Moulsecoomb may still go forward. It was a very real pleasure to see Mr and Mrs Carpenter again in the district, where they joined for seven years in hard and excellent work.
Thus came St. Andrew's Tide, 1932. It will live long in the memories of all who experienced it in Moulsecoomb, and such a memory will surely stir the activities and fire the imaginations of everyone in this charming corner of Sussex to the glorious task of claiming more and more “territory” among; men for God, so that together with the fabric of the material building, the spiritual body of the Church may go forward.
Brighton & Hove Herald – 3 December 1932
