Commemoration of Construction Milestones
by B. van Cleve
St. Peter’s Church Brighton opened its doors in 1828. However, it soon became obvious that an extension of the church would be desirable. Several minor alterations were realized between 1828 and 1888. Finally, in 1889, a decision was made to substantially extend the size of the building. Plans included new vestries, a chancel, and a side chapel. The foundation stone for these extensions was laid in 1889, the work was completed in 1906. Five memorial plaques commemorate these construction milestones.
The first of these plaques can be found on the outer wall of the north side of the church, below the large stained glass window facing the car park. It commemorates the laying of the new foundation stone.
DEDICATING THIS WORK TO THE GLORY OF GOD THIS STONE IS LAID BY RICHARD LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTER THE FEAST OF SS SIMON AND JUDE MDCCCLXXXIX
The feast of SS Simon and Jude was on 28/10/1889.
The second memorial plaque can be found in the Crypt.
THESE VESTRIES WERE ADDED TO THE PARISH CHURCH OF BRIGHTON – 1889
JOHN JULIUS HANNAH – VICAR OF BRIGHTON.
C.CAVENAGH, W. BENNETT, W. BOTTING – CHURCHWARDENS.
SOMERS CLARKE – ARCHITECT.
GEO. LYNN & SONS.- BUILDERS.
T. SHELMERDINE – CLERK OF THE WORKS.
R.J. BURDON, HEATHCOTE SMITH, CECIL DEEDES, W. CARR SELBY, W.T. DUTTON, WILMOT PHILLIPS – CURATES.
W. ROBINSON. VERGER.
THIS TABLET IS THE GIFT OF MR CHURCHWARDEN BENNETT.
The next two memorial plaques can be found in the church, the first one in the Lady Chapel, the second near the main entrance.
THE EXTENSION OF THIS AISLE WAS OPENED ON ST PETER’S DAY 1901 JOHN JULIUS HANNAH, VICAR OF BRIGHTON.
CECIL DEEDES, GEORGE CORFIELD, R. FAIRFAX SCOTT, S.ST. AIDAN BAYLEE, A. STUART LEVER, NEVILLE F. SHAW, CHARLES H. RIDSDALE, CECIL H. MARTIN – CURATES
JAMES ROSS GWATKIN, GEORGE F. ATTREE, THOMAS SMITH – CHURCHWARDENS
SOMERS CLARKE – ARCHITECT
GLYNN & SONS – BUIDLERS
E.D.REECKS – VERGER
CECIL SOMERS CLARKE – HON SEC.
St. Peter’s day is the 29th of May.
THE CHANCEL AND SIDE CHAPEL OF THIS CHURCH WERE CONSECRATED ON THE FEAST OF S. PETER JUNE 29.1906 BY ERNEST ROLAND LORD BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE AND RANDALL LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.
BENEDICT GEORGE HOSKYNS – VICAR.
JAMES R. GWATKIN, G.F. ATTREE, ELI G. HALES – CHURCHWARDENS
SOMERS CLARKE, H.T. MICKLETHWAITE – ARCHITECTS
The fifth memorial plaque is situated in the tower. Due to the renovation works it is not accessible at the present.
THE NEW CHANCEL AND SIDE CHAPEL IN THIS CHURCH WERE CONSECRATED ON THE FEAST OF ST PETER. AP & M. JUNE 29TH 1906, BY RANDALL LORD ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND ERNEST ROLAND LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTER.
SOMERS CLARKE, J.T. MICKLETHWAITE – Architects
BENEDICT GEORGE HOSKYNS – Vicar
JAMES ROSS GWATKIN, ELI GEORGE HALES, GEORGE E. ATTREE – Churchwardens
Eliza G. Cooke
Eliza Georgianna Cooke is commemorated in a memorial plaque in St. Peter's Church Brighton. She was the wife of the curate Thomas Cooke.
Benedict George Hoskyns
Benedict George Hoskyns was Vicar of St. Peter's Church, Brighton, and then became Archdeacon of Hastings and later of Chichester.
John Leonhard Brigden
John Leonhard Brigden was a coach builder and he was four times mayor of Brighton. He is buried in the St. Nicholas of Myra Churchyard.
John Muzzall Newnham
John Muzzall Newnham was churchwarden and chairman of the guardians of the poor. He died in 1892 at the age of 63.
Arthur Blackman
Arthur Blackman was headmaster of the Central Schools, Brighton, for 28 years, and member of the Parish Church Choir for 20 years.
George Attree and Ernest Charles Attree
Two memorial plaques, the first for the churchwarden George Attree, the second for his 24 year old son Ernest Charles Attree.
William Maitland Julius Hannah
Two Memorial Plaques, one in Latin, for William Maitland Julius Hannah, son of John Julius Hannah, Vicar of St. Peter's Church Brighton.
Charles Campion
Memorial plaque for Lieutenant Charles Campion, who died at Vlakfontein, S. Africa. He was the son of Colonel William Henry Campion.
Charles Gervaise Boxall
Charles Gervaise Boxall was the grandson of William Boxall, who is also commemorated in a memorial plaque in St. Peter's Church.
James Ross Gwatkin
This memorial plaque in St. Peter's Church Brighton commemorates James Ross Gwatkin, who served as a churchwarden for 29 years.
William Boxall
William Boxall D.L. was present as High Constable of Brighton when the foundation stone of St. Peter's Church was laid.
John Hannah
John Hannah was Vicar of St. Peter's Church, Brighton (1870 - 1887), and Archdeacon of Lewes (1876 - 1888).
Richard Durnford
Memorial Plaque in Latin with English translation for Richard Durnford, born in Berkshire, Bishop of Chichester.
War Memorial Plaques
There are four War Memorial Plaques in St. Peter's Church. One for victims of the Second Boer War and three for victims of the Great War.
Floor Plan for Memorial Plaques
This floor plan indicates only the position of memorial plaques for individuals, and only if they are to be found inside the church building.
William Robinson
William Robinson had been a verger to St. Nicholas Church and to St. Peter's Church Brighton. He died at the age of 46.
Restoring Damaged Text – The C.G. Boxall Memorial
The memorial plaque for C. G. Boxall has suffered severe damage over time. After painstaking detective work the text could be recovered.
‘This project is kindly funded by Historic England as part of the Everyday Heritage - Working Class Histories. We are grateful to them for this funding.’