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- Chichester, West Sussex (Church of St John the Evangelist)
Built in 1812, the delightfully elegant design of St John’s reflects the importance the evangelical movement palced on sermons and scripture reading rather than communion.
Unusually, it was not built as a parish church, but was privately funded and then run by trustees of the evangelical movement of the Church of England.
Ministers were largely paid by the income from renting seats in the church. Pews in the upper gallery, where the rich sat apart from the lower orders, still have their own hire numbers. These originally had separate entrances so that the rich could enter by different doorways from the poor who sat on the benches below.
The church is arranged rather like a theatre, with an impressive triple-decker pulpit with a handsome staircase and elegant handrail taking centre stage with only a small and insignificant chancel behind.
Standing high up in the pulpit, the preacher could be seen and heard by (and could himself see) everyone in the chapel.
St John’s has always been associated with lively musical events and the annual Chichester Festivities now hold a number of concerts in the church.
To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
In St John's Street which is in the south-eastern quadrant of Chichester and leads off East Street
Nearest railway station: Chichester (0.5 miles).
SU 864 046
01/05/12
Following on from the success of our Discover Wallpaintings project last year we are delighted to announce the launch of…
St Wilfrid's Church, Church Norton, West Sussex
A fascinating mix of old and new
Church of St Mary Magdalene, Tortington, West Sussex
Boggle-eyed monsters in a rustic church
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
Heritage site
Uppark House
National Trust property
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
The CCT is grateful to the Flickr group, Friends of the Churches Conservation Trust, for the images shown here. CCT is not responsible for the quality or content of images taken from Flickr.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out about this church and the CCT before you visit?
You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
Hampshire, Sussex & Surrey County Guide (PDF, 4.9mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Hampshire, Sussex & Surrey. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
St Wilfrid's Church, Church Norton, West Sussex
A fascinating mix of old and new
Rectory Lane, Church Norton, Selsey, West Sussex, PO20 9DT
See church page
Church of St Mary Magdalene, Tortington, West Sussex
Boggle-eyed monsters in a rustic church
Ford Road, Tortington, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0FD
See church page
Church of St Mary the Virgin, North Stoke, West Sussex
A happy ending for a church with no name
North Stoke, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9LS
See church page
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our West Sussex churches are in CCT’s South East region.
The Friends of St John's Chapel website
Contact telephone: 01243 784915
Contact email: agreenzone@aol.com
Family days out in West Sussex
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as ‘Keyholder nearby’, this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
Two steps up into chapel then flat floor.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
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Society Building, 8 All Saints Street
London N1 9RL
Give us a call:
0845 303 2760 (9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday)
Email us:
central@thecct.org.uk
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A lovely church, beautifully kept and open most of the day. Well worth a visit.
Unexpectedly came upon the Church on 2nd March 2013 and found it a delightful gem! Naturally I took my turn in the pulpit, but only the lower, as the upper two were roped off.