Churches - Bevendean History Project
St Matthew's Church, Sutherland Road
ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, KEMP TOWN, CLEARED OF DEBT
Parishioners
learned with gratification at the annual general meeting of St.
Matthew's Church, held in Bute Hall during the weekend, that for the
first time for a number of years the financial year closed with a
credit balance. The vicar, the Rev. J. P. Hart, M.A., presided.It was reported that the special Coronation effort to clear the church of all debt had splendidly, succeeded; the church roof has been restored; and the organ repaired. With increasing congregations, St. Matthew's looks forward to the future with confidence.
The vicar warmly thanked the lady-worker, Miss Dale-Glossop. for her loyal support at all times; he also thanked the wardens, sides men, organist and choir, verger, leaders of the various organisations, and all helpers, with a special word of thanks to the Sunday School teachers.
He thanked the parochial church council for their help and friendliness at all times, and commented on the happy family spirit existing at St. Matthew's.
The vicar's warden, Mr T. H. Elkins, expressed the belief that the progress made was due to the splendid leadership of the vicar, and added a graceful tribute to the personality and influence of Mrs Hart in the parish.
The accounts were presented, electoral roll inspected, councillors and sides men elected, and the meeting brought to a close with prayer.
From the Brighton & Hove Herald on 12 February 1938
A PADRE WRITES HOME
A
cheery message of greeting to his parishioners appears in the parish
magazine of St Matthews, Brighton, from the vicar, the Rev. J. P. Hart,
who is serving as a chaplain in the Central Mediterranean. Mr Hart was
present at two of the confirmation services held by the Bishop of
Lichfield (Dr. E. S. Woods) during his recent visit to Italy."At the first." he writes, "about 30 were confirmed, including a dozen or so Basutos. It was very impressive and inspiring to see white and black kneeling together and jointly dedicating themselves to the service off the same God and the name Church.
“The second one was impressive by reason of the number. The Bishop confirmed 207 British troops at this service. The service concluded with hymn 607 (Ancient and Modern). Look It up and read It. and picture about 250 men singing it—especially the last verse, so appropriate to the occasion."
During Mr Halt's absence St. Matthew's is in charge of the Rev. Cecil V, Doig, Vicar of Rye Harbour.
From the Brighton & Hove Herald on 28 October 1944
THE REV. J. P. HART AWARDED M.B.E.
The
name of the Vicar of St. Matthew's, Kemp Town, the Rev. J. P. Hart,
M.A., appear with those of other local officers in the latest list of
awards approved by the King in recognition of gallant and distinguished
services in Italy.M.B.E. (MILITARY DIVISION) The Rev. John Phillips Hart, M.A., chaplain to the Forces.
The announcement of the award of the M.B.E. to the Rev. J. P. Hart will be received with pleasure by his many friends in Brighton, and particularly by the parishioners of St. Matthew's, Kemp Town, where Mr Hart took up the duties of vicar in 1935.
From the Brighton & Hove Herald on 29 September 1945
“Don’t Demolish This Fine Church”
“BRUTAL” PROPOSAL ATTACKED
A
proposal that the Church of St. Matthew, in Sutherland Road, Brighton,
be demolished and the parish absorbed into another district was
described as “blunt and brutal” at a meeting of well over
one hundred parishioners in the parish hall this week.“BRUTAL” PROPOSAL ATTACKED
The proposal is contained in the report of the Diocesan Commission on the reorganisation of the parishes of the rural deanery of Brighton.
Parishioners considered it to be “ill-timed and ill-advised in the face of present-day tendencies to irreligion and organised opposition to Christian teaching.”
It was adjudged to be incomplete particularly in relation to the parish of St. Matthew with its increasing population and undoubted development and post-war housing programme.
The view was expressed that it was a short-sighted proposal to suggest demolishing a fine, flint-stone church built as the result of public appeals and contributions and involving much zealous labour on the part of the parishioners.
Such a happening would never be eradicated from the minds of the young for generations to come and Christian life and living would receive an irrecoverable blow, it was said.
After the general protest had been endorsed by the meeting, a committee of church officials was formed to draft a detailed statement to be sent to the diocesan authorities.
[Footnote. — St. Matthews was erected in 1881-83 and is a building of concrete faced externally with cut flint and stone, and internally with red brick in the Early English style. There are seats for 950 and the register dates from the year 1884. The living is a vicarage, with residence in the gift of five trustees and has been held since 1946 by the Rev. William John Taylor.]
From the Brighton & Hove Herald on 1 July 1950
St. Matthew’s Will Stay Open
REPRIEVE ANNOUNCED AT CHURCH BAZAAR
A
surprise announcement at the Christmas bazaar on Wednesday save St
Matthew’s parishioners the news, that their church is to stay
open, and their parish independent.REPRIEVE ANNOUNCED AT CHURCH BAZAAR
The glad tidings were given by the vicar (the Rev, W. J. Taylor), who said that he had received a letter from the Bishop of Chichester “which we have been waiting and waiting and agonising for.”
A hush fell on the Bute Hall, where the bazaar was held, as the vicar read the Bishop’s letter.
This stated that the Bishop had been informed by the diocesan reorganisation committee that the parochial church council of St Matthew’s had undertaken to provide the incumbent with a stipend of £500, with a parsonage free of rates. They have also undertaken to keep the church buildings in reasonable repair. Because of this undertaking, said the Bishop, the reorganisation committee had recommended that the parish retain its independence.
No Looking Back
“Having
put our hands to the plough.” said the vicar, “there is to
be no looking back, and we shall go forward with God’s guidance
and help in the extending of His kingdom in this parish.“It depends on you, not the vicar or the officials of the church. It depends on everyone to do their part in the carrying on of this work.”
The gladness felt by the parishioners at the news that their protests against the proposed closure of the church and amalgamation with St George’s was echoed by the Mayor of Brighton (Alderman Miss Dorothy Stringer), who opened the bazaar.
“May I congratulate you upon the news,” said the Mayor. “I am sure you will all stand by your church and so prove that you are prepared to carry on this great work. I wish you every success,”
The parishioners were told that repair work to the east windows of the church will cost £350, organ repairs £110, and another £150 a year to support the vicar.
Mr W. Stewart, headmaster of Brighton College, was chairman at the opening.
From the Brighton & Hove Herald on 15 November 1952
KEMP TOWN CHURCHES MAY CLOSE
Plans have been proposed to close two Brighton churches – All Souls and St. Matthew’s both in Kemp Town.This will happen if a rationalisation scheme proposed to the Church Commissioners by the Chichester Diocese is accepted.
It is proposed that the parish of All Souls be united with that of St. Mary and St. James, and St. Matthew’s be united with St. Mark’s in Eastern Road.
Draft schemes have been published under the Union of Benefices Measures, and any objections must be sent to the Church Commissioners by August 12.
From the Brighton & Hove Herald on 29 July 1966
