CHURCH SERVICES
For details of the latest church services go to https://www.pettnet.org.uk/church-services
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH – LATEST NEWS
We have our new metal cross!
It has a beach theme and carries on the “arty” feel of the church (you may have noticed the ceiling artwork inside which were painted by the Hastings School of Art back in the 1930s). A MASSIVE thank you to all those who have contributed towards the cost, particularly the WI and the couple who gave a significant contribution last summer. And thank you to Leigh Dyer for his beautiful creation.
And thank you to ALL of you who have supported the works at St Nicholas over the last two years. Please continue to support us as we now try to do the same with Pett church.
After waiting so long for the cross it seems fitting that we should have a short dedication ceremony followed by tea and cake. The plan is Saturday 26th May at 3pm and the sun will be out (even if it is a Bank Holiday weekend). We have the Bishop of Lewes, Richard, coming, on his motorbike, to participate in the dedication. Please come along and join us!
Wouldn’t it be nice to have an art exhibition inside/outside one weekend in the early summer? Any thoughts, call me, Fran, on 01424 812964.
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
There are notices up at both Parish churches along with the names on the Parochial Electoral Roll. All are welcome to attend the meeting at 7pm Tuesday 24th April, but those on the Electoral Roll can vote. This is YOUR chance to see what has happened in the last year and to ask questions about the future. We will meet at the Village Hall. The full report will be available at both churches.
MEDITATION
At St Nicholas, 2:30pm on Thursday 26th April and Thursday 24th May.
ST NICHOLAS CHURCH HISTORY AND ARCHIVE
(All photos below courtesy of Fran Rogers)
St Nicholas from Toot Rock
History of St Nicholas, Pett Level
In 1878 the Admiralty constructed a building on Pett Level beach for the local Coastguard. Its purpose was to house the Life Saving Rocket Apparatus* used to help seafarers and fishermen in difficulties. Hence it became known as The Rocket House.
Between the wars, the rocket launcher was moved elsewhere in Pett Level and so the Rocket House became surplus to requirements, so in 1935 the Diocese bought the Rocket House for £100 and on 26th April it was dedicated to St Nicholas by the Bishop of Lewes. In October it was authorised for Public Worship by the Bishop of Chichester.
In the 80 years since then, services have been held continuously, save for the years 1940-1945, when the church was closed as part of the general evacuation of Pett Level and the militarisation of the beach.
In 1959 a porch was added made from Canadian cedar. Not much changed since then until 2015 was work started to repair the porch. From there internal refurbishment took place, replacing lights and cracked glass in the windows, cleaning chairs and paneling, sanding the floor. The vestry was also opened up to allow displays of old postcards, books to borrow or buy, and tea and coffee to be available to visitors. In addition local artists such as Annie Soudain and Richard Baines have supplied cards.
In March we hope to have a new cross on the front elevation of the porch, designed and made by another local artist, Leigh Dyer.
All donations go to help the continued upkeep of both Parish churches.
*For nearly a century rocket launchers (designed by Robert Trengrouse) were a key part of the Coastguard’s ability to save lives at sea, by sending a line to ships who in turn would use it to secure a rope to their mast which would help haul sailors to shore with a chair.
Fran Rogers
Document typed by the Rector, Herbert Moxen, acknowledging the contributions from the parishioners for the new St Nicholas
Original interior of St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas – before restoration in 2015
St Nicholas after restoration
St Nicholas porch before restoration
St Nicholas porch after restoration
Church floor after sanding
Church chairs – before and after
Model of St Nicholas Church depicted in the north nave stained glass window in St Mary & St Peter Church. The window was designed by Lawrence Lee, who also designed some of the windows in Coventry Cathedral
Christmas at St Nicholas – 2016
(78 people attended the Christmas service in 2017)
A wedding at St Nicholas – July 2017
Child Thanksgiving Service at St Nicholas – October 2017
