History of the Church
Established in 1922, Peacehaven Evangelical Free Church, as it is known today, had it’s origins in open air meetings on the promenade in Joslin’s Pit near Seaview Avenue, which we understand has now disappeared due to coastal erosion.
A news item in Peacehaven Post (the local news sheet) of 1st July 1922 reads, “On Whit Monday the Friars Bay and Peacehaven Sunday School (affiliated to Newhaven Wesleyan Sunday School) celebrated its 8th Anniversary. A service was held in Joslin’s Pit when the Rev. Wm. Humphrey of Brighton gave interesting addresses to both children and adults.” The report concluded with, “Until a permanent place of worship can be obtained services are being held each Sunday evening at Mr James’ bungalow in Southdown Ave; all are invited.”
Land for the church was sold to three trustees by a Mrs A Parker for £100.00. Mr Parker, who kept the Post Office near the church, was one of the three trustees and was active in the church’s beginnings.
The Original Church Building circa 1922
The actual building started life as an accommodation hut for troops during the Great War and was sited on Seaford Head. After the war it was purchased from the then War Department and brought to Peacehaven. An advertisement in the Peacehaven Post of 1st September 1922 describes the Free Church as “our first Church” as it was the first church building to be erected in Peacehaven, but only by a couple of months. The Baptist Church was already meeting in Glynn Road and the Vicar of Telscombe had been conducting open air services in June 1922. The building was officially opened on the 29th October 1922.
The present church building was opened on 5th March 1966. The Rev. WHP Goodchild was the pastor from January 1963 to August 1972. He was a builder by trade and, we understand, it was his vision to build the new church. He wrote in The Messenger, the church news letter of the day: “This building is of God and we are building for the future, in that the church will meet the needs of a growing community and we shall look back and praise God for the vision that prompted our sacrifice and effort today” (June 1965). A fund raising campaign was launched with an estimated total of £12,000 needed to complete the works. Presumably that sum was raised as the church now stands as a testament to his faith and commitment. The new building was officially opened on 5th March 1966 and the service was attended by some 500 local people.
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The cache is not at the published coordinates, but is within 450 metres of them.
You will need the following information for the northerly coordinates.
There is a plaque mounted below the church windows on the long wall facing the road, which gives you the date the new building was opened:-
Ath. March BCDE
N50° (A-1)(B+6). (C-4)(D+1)(E-3)
The easterly coordinates can be obtained from the seat inscription to the east of the church and the nearby bus shelter.
Ivy Millen lived from:- 192F - GHJK
E000° (F-2)(G-2). (H+7)(J+2) K
You are looking for a magnetic container.
There is easy parking at GZ.
Happy caching and enjoy looking.
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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