People in Burgess Hill spurned the church to have their Remembrance Day service in a shopping centre instead.
They broke with tradition by holding a "community service" in the atrium of the Market Place Shopping Centre yesterday.
Members of the Mid Sussex Brass Band led a parade at 10.40am through from the Cyprus Road car park to the town's war memorial.
Scouts and guides, the Royal British Legion, army cadets, and town and district councillors were present.
Wreaths were laid at the war memorial before the two minutes' silence was observed.
Then, instead of going to St John's Church, the group and members of the public walked inside the shopping centre for a remembrance service.
The community service, organised by the Royal British Legion, was attended by hundreds of people and hailed a success by many who attended.
Tony Parris, of Burgess Hill Lions, said: "The venue for the service was fantastic. To me it was the solid community of Burgess Hill getting together to commemorate those who died for us during the wars.
"More people went to the service than would have gone to the church, including children."
David Carden, clerk to Burgess Hill Town Council, said: "The service was designed to encourage community involvement, and it was extremely well supported."
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