Rye Harbour Image Library

Picture No:	109
Courtesy of:	Unknown
Year:	1850

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New Church

This Church, situated at the mouth of the port of Rye, among shipping and the houses and towers occupied by the Coast Guard, lately consecrated by the Bishop of Chichester, was built during the summer of 1849, at an estimated cost of £933 11s. 8d., and contains 110 sittings. The architect is Mr. Teulon, of Lansdowne-place, London: the builder is Mr. J. Judge, of Rye. The edifice is plain early Gothic; it is of blue local stone, with Caen stone groins and mouldings: the walls and roof are unusually strong and massive, the situation being extremely exposed to the south-west winds. The campanile, the simple proportions of which have been much admired, comprises at once a bell-tower, an organ-gallery, and a porch.
The Church is about two miles from the site of old Winchelsea, which was suddenly overwhelmed by the sea A.D 1287; the sea, however, has now for many years been receding.
The building of this Church was projected, and has been carried through, by the Rev. H. B. Whittaker Churton, Vicar of Icklesham, in which parish lies Rye Harbour.
Source: The Illustrated London News, Nov. 16, 1850, p.377

Picture Added on 25 March 2006.

Comments

Whilst researching my family history I discovered that my great great great grandparents lived at Rye harbour, according to the 1851 census. George and Eliza Graves lived at no. 15 - no further address, but as he was in the coastguard service can I assume it might have been in Coastguard square? Also mentioned is the Ship inn but I cannot locate this at Rye Harbour. Any sugestions? Later, in the 1871 census it says that Eliza was a toll gate collectors wife. Would this be connected with the area? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Added by Jenny Bolt on 22 August 2006.

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