Phase 1 of the project is now complete. It was driven by the need for urgent repairs to the main floor of the church and to make the space more flexible for a wide range of community events. Churchwardens are pleased to announce that, in July, this project won a Sussex Heritage Trust Ecclesiastic Building Award – a highlight of the judges’ comments follow:
The Grade 2* Parish Church of Rottingdean, St Margaret of Antioch, undertook an extensive renovation and reordering of the church interior between March 2024 and April 2025. The work followed an imaginative design which has resulted in a light, open and flexible space allowing the church to be used for a variety of purposes throughout the week as well as for Sunday Worship. A kitchen with movable island has been installed in the North isle and chairs have replaced pews. A ramp has been cleverly incorporated to allow wheel chair access to the chancel arch and altar. Underfloor heating has improved the temperature of the space and, although powered by the existing gas fired boiler, its specification will allow it to work with air source heat pumps at a later date. The conservation of the stained glass and their sensitive cleaning has transformed the light and effect inside the church. There has been significant thought given to future proofing and the new electrical conduits and ducting have enabled a discrete and effective sound system and screen and will enable the new LED lighting to be installed in the near future. The Dura stone flooring, chosen by the architect, is of good quality and fits well within the scheme. At the risk of sounding over critical it would have been good to hear that the stone had been sourced in from the UK rather than a German quarry but difference in cost informed this decision. The combination of good quality materials, an excellent design and first class workmanship have ensured that the brief was more than met and makes this project worthy of a Sussex Heritage Award.”
Phase 1.5 – upgrading the Vestry to  provide more suitable lavatory accommodation (including an accessible toilet and baby-change facilities), and a kitchenette is scheduled to complete in early November.
Phase 2 – plans to build an extension on the North side of the church (for which we have Planning Permission, but which is subject to Faculty Permission) are held in abeyance pending the appointment of a new incumbent.