All Souls
Eastbourne, Sussex
The Italianate architectural style of All Souls is described as Lombard Byzantine; it is impressive with excellent detail.
Christ Church was consecrated by the 70th Bishop of Chichester in 1859. Built in the Gothic revival style, it was designed by architect Benjamin Ferrey, a pupil and biographer of Augustus Pugin.
The chancel has five tall lancet Te Deum windows filled with Clayton and Bell stained glass, begun in April 1880 and completed in 1884.
The central window is in memory of Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Alice, who worshipped at Christ Church whenever staying in Eastbourne, taking a great interest in the parish, visiting the Day and Sunday Schools and the poor in their homes. Her great grandson, Prince Philip of Greece is married to Queen Elizabeth II.
Another notable worshipper was author Lewis Carroll, who used the church during his regular visits to the town, helped with the Sunday School, and once preached from the pulpit. It is recorded in the church registers that he rented a pew solely for his top hat, so that he could be certain that it would not be accidentally sat upon during the service!
The church has a beautiful Memorial Chapel, built after WWI, containing memorials to those within the parish who gave their lives for King and country. Just yards from the sea, Christ Church has had a long association with fishermen and the RNLI.
Following the closure and subsequent demolition of the neighbouring St Philip's Church in 2004, the parishes officially merged in 2009 to become Christ Church with St Philip. There are now a number of items from St Philip's at Christ Church, including vestments, silverware, and a beautifully carved lectern, which now stands close to the High Altar and is used at Evensong and for special services.