Diocese of Chichester

A special service to mark 900 years of history took place at St Michael's Newhaven on Sunday 26 January 2020, with many dignitaries in attendance from the Bishop of Chichester to the Lord lieutenant and MP Maria Caulfield.

The celebrations  started with a short service at the Brazen memorial and continued in church. Along with hymns, the Bishop and Rev Martin Miller (vicar), gave a address and talks  were given by Sara Alexander, youth leader, and one of her youth helpers about the youth work they do in Newhaven, along with various associations working in the local area for our young people

It is hoped that a programme of events planned for the whole year will provide something for everyone in the town.

The project has already attracted Arts Council funding, allowing local composer and musician Mike Flood to write a suite of music, narration and song, telling many stories of the history of Newhaven over the past nine centuries.

Rt Rev Dr Bill Musk, Chairman of the committee planning the events, said: “We would love the celebration to be a town affair for everyone to get involved in as well as the church celebrating 900 years of Christian witness in the town.

“Our goal is for those living in and around Newhaven to remember the past, celebrate the best of past and present, and together shape a good future for the church and the town.”

Artwave in August 2020 will provide a focus for some of the planned events including an exhibition of the social history of local families and photographic portraits of familiar faces around the town centre.

Other highlights of the year will include:

• A physical timeline around the church showing national and local historical events
• A stained-glass window art project with Harbour Primary School
• A book on St Michael’s church and Newhaven town due for launch in May
• A flower festival in July with the theme “Heritage, Haven and Hope”
• “Breathe” - a creative space to step into and find stillness and peace in June.

The events have been planned by current members of the congregation of St Michael’s over the past two years. The celebrations will also include opportunities for people to explore the Christian faith through Start courses, meditative readings of St Matthew’s gospel and a study of some of the Old Testament prophets. There will also be special church services during the year.

St Michael`s Church was built in 1120 by the monks of Lewes Priory on land given by William de Warenne who also ordered the building of Lewes Castle and Lewes Priory.Newhaven was originally Mecinge or Meeching until the name changed to Newhaven when the River Ouse broke through the shingle banks that ran to Seaford. The earliest recorded vicar is Robert in 1253.

There are two interesting memorials in the churchyard – one to Thomas Tipper, a famous local brewer in the 18^th century and the other is a memorial to the 75 seamen who lost their lives when HMS Brazen was blown into the cliffs nearby in January 1800.

The church has been extended three times throughout its nine centuries of history and it is hoped that many of the planned events will be of interest to those with an interest in the history of Newhaven.

For further information please contact the Rector Rev Martin Miller on (01273) 515251.