Sussex church added to heritage at risk register

A 19th Century church in East Sussex has been added to Historic England's heritage at risk register in an attempt to secure the building's future.

The public body said St Mary in the Castle, in Hastings, which closed in 2022 and was left vacant, was in need of repairs.

A volunteer group, St Mary in the Castle Drivers, and Hastings Borough Council (HBC) have been discussing a new use for the church.

Victoria Conheady, deputy chief executive and director of place at HBC, said it was "a key building in the regeneration of our town".

Historic England said: "The heritage we see all around us impacts how we feel about our local places.

"The best way to protect our buildings is to reuse them, turning them into places of local connection and joy."

Ms Conheady added: "We want to celebrate its heritage and create a cultural hub that residents can be proud of, and visitors want to come and enjoy."

St Mary in the Castle was built between 1824 and 1828, commissioned by the Earl of Chichester.

It was consecrated as a chapel of ease before becoming a parish church in 1884.

Historic England said falling attendance led to its closure in 1970 and the building was left empty.

It came into the ownership of HBC in 1982.

The church then underwent a restoration in the 1990s, before reopening as an arts and performance venue in 1998.

The council has launched an expression of interest to identify a new operator to help revitalise the building. The closing date is 15 December.

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