Our vision is a church at the centre of the community – a church serving as a cultural centre available for a variety of community activities as well as a house of prayer and worship; a church with a modern mission, accessible and welcoming to everyone.

Over the past three years, a plan has been developed that fully respects the historic importance of our beautiful church. The plan involves ‘re-ordering’ the church interior and providing new facilities fit for church and community use in the 21st century. We aim to create a splendid open and flexible space that will transform the use of the interior. A new floor with underfloor heating is proposed (so dealing with the serious ongoing damp problems) and a kitchen, meeting rooms, improved office and fully accessible toilets and baby-change facilities are part of the plan.

The St. Margaret’s Church estate includes the ‘Cottage’ which has for the past 32 years provided overflow accommodation for after-service coffee, Sunday School, Parochial Church Council (PCC) meetings, and a wide variety of social and group activities. Because these activities will be significantly better accommodated in the developed and more spacious church building, and because the Cottage is itself in need of very costly refurbishment, the PCC has unanimously decided that St Margaret’s Cottage should be sold. The proceeds will be reinvested into the charity to enable the church development project without the need for substantial fund raising.

Other than the addition of the office/toilet block in the 1970s, this project is the most significant church building development since the 19th century – it will, we believe, ensure that St Margaret’s is a truly sustainable Church serving the whole community for the generations to come. We invite you to share our vision and support us as best you can.

We would take this opportunity of wishing you a blessed Christmas – please do visit www.stmargaret.org.uk for details of our services. This year, of course, numbers are restricted because of the pandemic, and you will need to book a place in advance. Details can be found by clicking on the link to The Lookout, our weekly bulletin. You can also access our weekly recorded services via the website; there will be a special service for Christmas Day for those unable to attend in person.

Sincerely,

Dawn and Heather

Dawn Davidson and Heather Butler, Churchwardens, St Margaret’s Church, Rottingdean

on behalf of the Parochial Church Council and Fr Anthony