Earliest historical date.
Earliest historical date of St. Leonard’s Church Seaford, as it is not specifically mentioned in the Domesday Book.
A grand cruciform style Church with a central tower. (It is generally considered that it must have replaced an earlier Church on the same site, although there is no proof of this).
First Church enlargement.
Two aisles built on either side of the nave. Rounded arches cut into the original walls.
Chaplain Peter de Blokesham.
Chaplain Peter de Blokesham known to be present at this point.
Transformation of Church.
Transformation of Church c1180 – 1200.
Chaplain Roger de Blatchington.
Induction of Chaplain Roger de Blatchington.
Chaplain Thomas de Wycombe.
Induction of Chaplain Thomas de Wycombe as Vicar
The church was sacked by the French and burnt down.
Eastern half of the Church, and South nave aisle destroyed by fire by enemies.
The church was sacked by the French and burnt down. Only parts of the nave remained and the south wall was completely destroyed.
Vicar William ? & Chaplain James Ball.
Incumbency of Vicar William ____ ends. Induction of Chaplain James Ball.
Induction date of Vicar William ____ not known.
The Parish of Sutton cum Seaford.
Between 1508 & 1523, Bishop Sherbourne annexed the Church at Sutton (St. Nicholas) to the Vicarage of Seaford, although it does not appear to have become effective until 1534.
The importance of the former ‘Sutton’ parish has been reflected in the title “The Parish of Sutton with Seaford”
Vicar Thomas Garett as Vicar of Sutton cum Seaford.
Incumbency of Vicar John Clerke ends. Induction of Vicar Thomas Garett as Vicar of Sutton cum Seaford.
End date of incumbency of Vicar Thomas Garett not known, but assumed as this year. The Church of Sutton was annexed to Seaford Church in this year, to become the Parish of Sutton cum Seaford.
Dedication of the church to St Leonard.
0The first mention of the dedication of the church to St Leonard, when a man called Will Best left a will asking to be buried in the churchyard of St Leonard at Seaford. St Leonard was another patron saint for sailors and the church is one of five in the county dedicated to him – three of these being in Cinque Ports.
Register of Christenings, Marriages and Burials.
First volume of the Register of Christenings, Marriages and Burials.
Registers were unpopular at the time, so were not well used.
Vicar Charles Hutcheson & Vicar Thos Ballowe.
Incumbency of Vicar Robert Hide ends after nearly 65 years in service. Induction of Vicar Charles Hutcheson. Induction of Vicar Thos Ballowe.
Vicar Charles Hutcheson only lasted for 3-4 months before his death.
Sacramental Flagon of Pewter & Minister John Saxby.
Sacramental Flagon of Pewter, bequeathed by John Beane in his will (Donated to the British Museum in 1905). Sequestration of Vicar Thos Ballowe. Minister John Saxby appointed.
Former Vicar William Snatt.
Sir William Barclay plotted to assassinate King William but his fellow plotters. Sir John friend and William Parkyn were caught and executed on Tower Hill. Former Vicar William Snatt attended their execution and bravely absolved them at the foot of the scaffold. He was arrested and thrown into Newgate prison but at his subsequent trial he was dealt with leniently.Add Description Here
First Confirmation recorded
First Confirmation recorded in Parish register.
Chancel burnt by enemies.
Chancel burnt by enemies (Most probably French).
2 coffin stones and 1 coffin (containing 16 skulls) found, and St. Michael & Dragon carving (which originally stood over the south arch of the nave), under burn site.
Opening Peal of the Eight Bells.
Opening Peal of the Eight Bells, a full 5000 changes.
Incumbency of Rev. Thomas Evans ends.
Incumbency of Rev. Thomas Evans ends at his death.
Rev. William Henry Clark.
Induction of Rev. William Henry Clark.
Rev. Charles Edward Hutchinson.
Incumbency of Rev. Henry Clark ends. Induction of Rev. Charles Edward Hutchinson.
Doctor William Tyler-Smith.
The 1860s saw a huge push by a small group of determined men led by Doctor William Tyler-Smith to ensure that the town of Seaford stayed on the map. The ‘Seaford Improvement Company’ was established and large amounts of money spent on building smart new houses, ensuring the town was protected from the sea and bring the railway to the town. St Leonard’s church was not overlooked and in 1863 a committee was established which included William Tyler-Smith, Major Harison of Sutton lodge and of course the vicar the reverend James Carnegie. Work started in 1863 and was dramatic; all of the box pews were removed as was the ceiling so that the expanse of the roof was again seen. The chancel which had been built just forty years earlier was removed and the nave extended by a few feet and a new chancel was built. The south aisle was shortened by one bay making the ancient Norman Bay an external feature as can still be seen today. The gallery at the west end of the nave was removed as was its external staircase which was just to the left of the porch. The pitch of the aisle roofs was lowered to below the clerestory windows to let more light into the church. The old fifteenth century porch was replaced by the strange “mock Tudor” design which has a black stained wood framework. It almost looks as if it is in the “Arts and Crafts” style of decoration which was to become vogue sixty years later. The floor of the church was lowered to reveal the bases of the piers and columns and lastly the whole of the exterior was re-pointed and renovated.
Reservation of Church seats ends. Old Church foundations almost discovered.
The system of reserved seats in Church ends, with no new reservations being taken. All current reserved seats will be free to take 5 minutes before the service starts.
In digging a grave, a gravedigger came across burnt stones at a depth of eight feet, unfortunately the coffin was lowered in before any excavation could be done, to reveal what foundations of a previous church wall were there.
First Peal & Kneeling boards.
First peal of Bob Major on the bells, 5024 changes. 15th July 1893.
Kneeling boards placed in the seats.
Rev. Henry Goodwin Bonnewell.
Incumbency of Rev. W. H. Meade Buck ends. Induction of Rev. Henry Goodwin Bonnewell.
Silver Alms dish donated by Mr F Eady.
The Simmons Church Institute building (newly built) was gifted to the Church.
Funeral of Rev. William Henry Meade Buck.
Church enlargement faculty.
Faculty granted for the enlargement of the Church.
Rev. Frederick Daustini Cremer.
Incumbency of Rev. Henry Goodwin Bonnewell ends Died 4th January 1913. Induction of Rev. Frederick Daustini Cremer 5th April 1913.
Clock, Lighting & Pulpit.
New Faces to clock, and gas illumination.
Oak Panelling to sanctuary donated, and stalls added. Oak Pulpit donated.
Kingston trust donated the clock, & conditioned the town to provide gas illumination to the clock. Panelling donated by the Widow of James Samuel Burroughes. Oak Pulpit donated by Mrs Henry Simmons.
Electric lighting and power installed.
Electric lighting and power installed.
Seaford Toch H Banner Dedicated in the Parish Church.
Electric Organ blower installed.
Electric Duplex Rotary Blower installed by Hill, Norman & Beard.
Rev. Charles Herbert Maxwell.
Incumbency of Rev. E. H. Phillips ends through ill health. Induction of Rev. Charles Herbert Maxwell 12th February 1936.
Restoration of Tower and windows.
Restoration of Tower and windows carried out. Panelling added to backs of baptistry seats.
Rev. Francis William Shillito.
Incumbency of Rev. Charles Herbert Maxwell ends Died 17th May 1947. Induction of Rev. Francis William Shillito.
Place lane entrance gates.
Wrought iron gates installed in the Place Lane entrance.
Organ cleaned & overhauled by Hill, Norman & Beard.
The Church Grade I listed.
Oak screen between the Chancel and North Chapel completed, in remembrance of Rev. Charles Herbert Maxwell.
The Church was Grade I listed on 2nd March 1950.
National Savings Christmas Card.
A photo of the Church covered in snow appears on the National Savings Christmas Card.
Ciborium donated in memory of Seaford Ladies College 1900 – 1953.
St. Luke’s Church is initiated.
St. Luke’s Church is initiated, to cater for the increased number of Church members in the Chyngton area.
Wafer box donated in memory of Herbert Wentworth Dawes.
St. Luke’s foundation stone laid.
St. Luke’s foundation stone laid.
Altar furnishings donated by the Widow of Rev. F. W. Shillito.
New base for lectern donated.
Mr. T. W. H. Ringrose retires as Organist.
The old Standard of the Seaford British Legion Women’s Section was committed to the Parish Church for Safe keeping evermore.
Choir Vestry reorganised.
Choir Vestry reorganised.
A set of gold riddle curtains given by Mrs Egan in memory of her husband. A cope to match the curtains, given by Mrs Brewer in memory of her husband. A white altar frontal and improvements to the sanctuary lighting, given by Mrs Adkin in memory of her husband.
The Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
North Chapel converted to The Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
Seaford UDC gave the book of remembrance to the custody of the Church, along with a display case.
Sanctuary carpet donated from the legacy of Miss Goodwin.
Churchyard responsibility changes.
Seaford UDC passed the responsibility of the Churchyard to Lewes DC following the change in local government.
Canon Michael Reginald Thompson.
Incumbency of Rev. Lewis Hawkes Roper ends. Induction of Canon Michael Reginald Thompson.
Clergy Vestry reorganised.
Church lighting upgraded.
Tungsten Halogen lamps installed to double the lighting power.
Piano purchased as a memorial to Mr Cecil Coram.
Canon Michael Reginald Thompson.
Incumbency of Canon. Michael Reginald Thompson ends due to ill health.
Commemorating 100 years of the WI.
A Golden Flesh self pollinating Holly tree was planted in the Churchyard on 19th February to commemorate 100 years of the WI
Great Organ Trumpet installed.
Great Organ Trumpet installed.
Rev. James Hollingsworth.
Incumbency of Rev. Paul Owen ends. Induction of Rev. James Hollingsworth.
Work commences to upgrade facilities in St. Leonard’s Church
Chapel being sectioned off.
Kitchen and toilet areas being installed.
View of Church 1832
