St Margaret’s Church Development Project 

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.

Phase 1.5 (hopefully to be completed by mid-2026) will provide more suitable lavatory accommodation (including an accessible toilet and baby-change facilities), and a kitchenette.

Phase 2 – the modest extension on the North side of the church (for which we have Planning Permission but which is subject to Faculty Permission) would provide a new meeting room on the first floor, accessible by stairs and a lift, which can be used independently of the main church. This is especially important when considering the rising costs of heating and lighting – our energy bills are eye-watering. There would also be a larger kitchen and an office on the ground floor. The original extension to the left of the main door was added to the church building in 1974 and anyone who has visited recently will have seen that there is a real need for upgrade and improvement.

Concerts and other artistic and social events are held at the church throughout the year, as are regular services, weddings, funerals and other occasions when large numbers gather. 

St Margaret’s is a registered charity. We receive no income from the Church of England or the Diocese of Chichester, to whom, in fact, we pay over £80,000 per year to support ministry costs. That’s before the financial burden of maintaining and repairing a Grade 2* listed building and the surrounding churchyard, utility bills, insurance and day-to-day running expenses. Our money comes from the generous giving of our congregations, church fees, the donations of visitors and occasional grants. As with any charity or business just now, times are not easy.

The proposed extension, which would be unseen from The Green, will, we hope, equip the church with up-to-date facilities and help to keep the building open and financially viable for generations to come.