Establishing places of worship for village folk

The Aldwick Free Church in Gossamer Lane, was originally the Aldwick Free Church (Baptist), slightly overshadowed '“ in building size '“ by the nearby St Richard's Anglican Church.

As the town expanded in the 1930s, the Free Church Federal Council of Bognor Regis discussed building a number of free churches in the district. It was ultimately decided, to avoid duplication, the church divisions would be divided into Aldwick '“ Baptist, Felpham '“ Methodist and North Bersted '“ Congregational.

At this time, the Bognor Baptist Church did not feel able to undertake such an enormous task, but a member of their church, Mr Osborne Clayton Thomas, considered the possibility of raising funds for a new church. He was a successful commercial traveller for MacFarlane Laing and Co, the biscuit manufacturer, and quite a driving force in the area.

He met a retired Baptist minister, namely the Rev George Elder Johnson who had retired due to ill health, but with his wife was running a small boarding house in the area.

They approached Mr Cyril Douglas Robbins, who had moved into the area, and it was this trio which became the driving force behind the new church.

It was suggested the new church should be named the King George V Memorial Church, and appeals commenced both in the area and via the network of Baptist churches to raise the much-needed funds, and of course a site had to be found.

A farmer in the Nyetimber area, Mr Smart, had decided to sell certain parts of his land and one such was adjacent to Gossamer Road.

He kindly gave the church first choice of a site plus an additional plot to enable there to be a rear entrance from Willowhale Avenue. The land cost 641, which was quite a large amount in the 1930s.

With the acquisition of the land, building commenced in 1937. Messrs Fryer & Sons Builders of Rose Green became involved.

They decided the church should be sited to the rear of the land to enable larger premises to be built in the future. The original church consisted of seating for only 168 with a platform, small kitchen and a small room to be used as the vestry.

The foundation stone was laid during a ceremony on February 24, 1938, with a scroll being set under the stone.

The grand opening took place on May 11, 1938, when Mrs Peter Derry unlocked the door to allow entry to the new premises.

The guest preacher was the Rev Sutton, Baptist area superintendent.

Finally on June 29, 1938, the first prayer meeting was held with 16 members.

The Rev GE Johnston became the first minister, Mr OC Thomas, the secretary and Mr Robbins the treasurer.

This new church was soon to be pressed into use during the second world war when it was used as a canteen for the troops after the Battle of Britain and was also used for German prisoners of war, who were sited nearby.

When the Army was camped in nearby fields, they used the church hall for meals and concerts.

The original pipe organ was bought from a church in Battersea, but it had to be dismantled and transported to Aldwick where it was re-assembled.

Ralph Johnston, the younger son of the Rev Johnston, maintained the organ for much of its life.

In 1969 a new organ was installed at the church and Ralph had to dismantle the original organ, which he removed to his own vicarage, as Ralph, like his father was now a vicar.

Church and congregation grew over the ensuing years, necessitating once again fundraising on quite a large scale. This included the ability to '˜buy a brick' costing one shilling each for the new building, something we think of as a modern method of fundraising.

In 1953 there was another stone-laying ceremony when a hall and larger kitchen was built, and this was opened on September 2, 1953.

In 1954 the Rev G Johnston died at the age of 75, leaving the name of the new church hall in his memory at a special service on February 2, 1955.

There are many good tales to tell about churches but one of those associated with the Aldwick Free Church is about the '˜Dads' Army'.

Not as I thought during the second world war but when a group of men worked in the church gardens, keeping them attractive for visitors between 1974 and 1978.

I was unable to ascertain whether they worked around the district for parishioners or whether they worked only at the church. Perhaps someone can tell me?

Across the road is St Richard's church, also situated on Gossamer Lane. To me it seems to be, visually, one of the last traditionally-built churches in the area.

After this, churches appeared to take on a new faade. Other reports claim it is the last stone-built church in Sussex.

In 1931 the Rev Mosse was asked by the Bishop of Chichester to start a new parish in Aldwick as the parish which at that time stretched from Bognor to Pagham, with new buildings and people moving into the area, was considered too large.

There was only a small chapel near the rear of Aldwick Grange which was inadequate, so it was decided to use a larger hut in Rose Green.

The Rev Mosse was involved in the task of building the new church.

The design of the new structure was left to him, only to be finalised by the diocese.

He engaged the services of his brother-in-law, architect Francis Gordon Troup, who decided to move away from the trend of the day of using red bricks to local stone, with a Portland stone dressing.

Some of the stones used were more than 100 years old as they came from Chichester Cathedral.

The church was also one of the first to have central heating. Troup also designed other buildings such as a hotel in Brighton and part of a hospital in East Grinstead.

Eventually the diocese bought the plot of land for 525. Monies had to be raised and the fund started with a gift of 4,500 from the parents of Rev Mosse, then 4,000 came from the Sussex Church Builders and finally a sum of a further 5,000 was guaranteed.

Work was able to commence. The foundation stone was laid for St Richard's Church on April 3. 1933, by the Rt Rev Southwell, assistant Bishop of Chichester.

Money continued to arrive via the '˜buy a brick campaign' as well as from individuals and supporters of the church.

The church cost 12,300 to build with a further 1,150 being required for the organ.

The church was finally consecrated on May 12, 1934, having taken 13 months to build.

While sums raised helped to build the church, other items such as the hassocks, choir stalls, chairs and clocks were actually gifts from individuals.

Even the children of Rev Mosse contributed with the purchase of the figure of St Richard over the main door of the church.

When the church was consecrated the altar was bare with no crosses or candles. The visiting parties were received by the Rev Mosse and the Rev Knox, Vicar of Pagham.

The church was then blessed and finally the cross and candles were brought into the church and blessed separately. I will return to the subject of churches in future weeks and if you have any information I would be pleased to hear from you.