Hove's St Phillips Church closing due to financial concerns

St Phillips Church in New Church Road, Hove, is having to close due to financial concerns.

The church’s priest father John Eldridge wrote to parishioners recently about the 128-year-old church’s closure.

The Diocese of Chichester, which manages churches in Sussex, said it will explore alternative uses for the building once it has closed.

A spokeswoman said: “The archdeacon Martin and he confirmed the decision has not been made on financial grounds. Although St Barnabas, St Andrews and St Leonard’s are all flourishing in the same area of West Hove, sadly this is not the case for St Philips, and the decision has now been made to close.  

“Legally we are not permitted to explore a new use for the building until closure has happened. This is because such considerations of future use might prejudice the decision to close. So, we are therefore about to enter into the process of considering what the future use might be. This may take a while.”

The church has been open for 128 years (Image: The Argus)

Father John Eldridge wrote a letter to parishioners last month.

He said: “It is my duty to inform you of the recent decision of the Church Commissioners of England and Wales.

“Following the consultation concerning the future of St Phillips which was taken over the past four years, the commissioners have decided that St. Phillip’s Church is no longer viable and sadly it should be closed for public worship.

“I know this is a great sadness to you all. The future of St Phillip’s was debated some 20 years ago and has been in the background for these past years.

“The final day for public worship will be on Wednesday, October 11, when the Bishop of Lewes will preside at a service of thanksgiving for the past 128 years of mission and witness in this part of Hove. The service will take place at 7.30pm.

“I do hope you will be able to attend this service to give thanks for all the many blessings of the past years and for all that has happened here in the name of Jesus Christ.

“The area of the parish will come under the care of St Barnabas and the new parish will be called ‘The Parish of Hove, St Barnabas, St Agnes and St Phillip. The building will remain under the care of the diocesan board of finance the garden of remembrance will remain open and will be cared for by the parochial church council of St Barnabas.”