Iconic Worthing church looks to the future
ONE of Worthing's most iconic buildings, St Paul's Church, in Chapel Road, is preparing to enter a new stage of its history.
Nearly 200 years after it was first opened, St Paul's is set to become a new community and cultural hub for the town centre... and it has been hailed as "Worthing's answer to St Martin-in-the-Fields".
The church was built and consecrated in 1812 as a Chapel of Ease to serve Worthing's growing population – it was 2,151 at the 1801 Census – with St Mary's at Broadwater as the parent church.
It remained in use until 1996, when the classic Grade II* listed building had to close due to structural problems.
Back to life
But a determined group of volunteers have spent the last 12 years ensuring that St Paul's can be brought back into regular use for people to enjoy.
Under the banner of The St Paul's Trust, they rescued the building from collapse, dry rot and many other problems.
The trust, a registered charity, took on responsibility for this redundant church building from the Church of England, and has raised and has so far spent in the region of 1 million on restoration and re-ordering work.
This work can only progress as local money and national grants become available, but it is planned to open the building for public use early next year.
Community venue
Trust chairman Peter Rhodes told the Herald: "When completed, St Paul's Community Centre will provide an excellent venue for people to find relaxation, recreation and support.
"There will be a caf within the building, a small chapel for Christian worship, several rooms for local community groups to hire, and a central open space with large stage area for performing arts and exhibition events.
"Already, a number of groups affiliated to the Worthing Arts Council have expressed a keen interest in hiring St Paul's for their productions."
Mr Rhodes said it was due to lack of funds that no work on the interior had been possible in the last 12 months.
Extensive repairs
"Up to that point, the entire roof was removed and decaying roof timbers braced before a new roof was fitted.
"Dry rot was eradicated, new flooring foundations and sub-flooring built, and state-of-the-art underfloor heating installed.
"In addition, there was the building of St Paul's Court, on the site of old church hall, containing 10 flats for people with learning difficulties, and a community room on the north side of the former church.
"We had the vision of turning St Paul's into a community centre with a Christian ethos.
"It is Worthing's answer to London's St Martin-in-the-Fields."
Spring opening
The focus of work due to start in November is on ground-floor essential elements to get the building open to the public next spring.
"St Paul's not only has an impressive past, but also an important future for the people of Worthing.
"The trustees are determined that, when opened, this new centre will be a place where the community comes first," he said.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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