Diocese of Chichester

From broadcasting the Coronation Service for those in their communities who would otherwise be on their own, to hosting lunches, festivals, and messy church, among many other activities, including the Big Help Out. A great show of celebration, fit for a King.

Here is a selection of churches where communities gathered to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Long Live the King.

In East Blatchington, Rev Arwen Fowles broadcast the Coronation Service for people in her community who otherwise would have been on their own. She said people had shared with her that the screening of the service inside the church felt like ‘being actually present in a side chapel of the Abbey’ – She said: “What a lovely image – the parish churches as the side chapels. It was very fitting to bring Westminster Abbey into St Peter’s - welcoming the King and the whole ceremony into our chancel, and as we all stood and joined in with the service, the Cross of Christ remained firmly in place overseeing it all.

In Sidlesham at St Mary’s the celebrations started on Thursday with a coronation-themed afternoon tea, followed by a coronation re-enactment on Friday at the primary school for the whole community. The bells then rang out on Saturday with the Ring for the King during the Eucharist – the celebrations closed with a regal themed service on Sunday.

Photo caption: Bell ringers in Sidlesham in the making!

Sompting - The Church of St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Sompting, was the venue last month for a special service of prayer in preparation for the Coronation of the King and Queen held by the Order of St John in Sussex.

The service was attended by the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Andy Bliss, members of the Order of St John and St John Ambulance from around East and West Sussex, and a representative of the Order of Malta.

For the Coronation weekend, Sunday Chalk Spring Churches, the parish of South Lancing and Sompting held Evensong at St Michael’s to celebrate community, faith and service. Ninety people attended and after the service they all gathered and enjoyed cake in the sunshine.

West Hoathly - Rachel Edwards is the Bell Tower Captain at West Hoathly. She said.,” Our main “Ring for the King” in West Hoathly was a quarter peal on the morning of Monday’s Street Fair, organised by St Margaret’s Church. We were joined by friends from Ardingly and Lindfield and some of the bellringers from other local towers in the area helped out.”

Worthing - Around 50 people from Worthing and Heene gathered in St. Botolph’s Church, Heene on Saturday, 29 April to “Sing for the King” a selection of anthems and hymns associated with coronations and other royal events, under the direction of Judith Ellis, the church’s musical director, the church choir and the church’s catering team

The anthems sung were “I was glad” (Parry), and Handel’s “Zadok the Priest” and “Alleluia chorus” from ‘Messiah’. The church choir performed “O taste and see” composed for the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Many familiar hymns were also sung.
The event concluded with prayers for His Majesty the King and the Royal Family, and the singing of the National Anthem.

At Chichester Cathedral many people gathered to watch the Coronation on a giant screen on the Cathedral Green with themed arts, crafts, games and face painting for children to enjoy. On Sunday the cathedral was full to bursting with people attending the Sunday Eucharist livestreamed to allow people to continue being part of the great event and to hear Bishop of Chichester’s Coronation Sermon – a moving account of what a life of service under God truly means. (you can read it here)  This was followed by Evensong at 3pm. During the Big Help Out on Monday people were invited to help clean the cathedral. Volunteers helped to clean the brass, dust and deep-clean the choir stalls to keep the moths away!

Petworth’s celebrations continued after the Sunday service with a packed Market Square where the whole community joined in with fancy dress, competitions, entertainment and food.
St John the Evangelist, Preston pulled out all the stops for a right royal celebration. A community bring and share lunch was hosted in Knoyle Hall and the volunteers and church members ensured that everyone had a jolly time. The church recognises that many older people, are living on their own and the church hosts many activities to bring people together. The Coronation was a great opportunity to do just that.

St Richard's, Aldwick Chichester celebrated in glorious style gathering congregations and friends from far and wide. They used the occasion to launch their Lunch on Sunday, a new initiative which will be hosted by the church on the first Sunday of the month.

It was a family affair at St Stephen’s in Bexhill. Church members enjoyed a live screening of the Coronation and toasted the King and Queen Camilla with a party afterward in the hall with a full lunch, and lots of activities for children with Messy Church where children could make their own crown.

At St Mary's East Grinstead the Children's church was busy having lots of fun dressing up for the occasion. Fr Adam held a family mass followed by a celebration lunch in the hall. He said, “What a fantastic family mass and lunch we’ve had at St Mary's today. A huge thank you to all who came and made it such a success. Thank you too, to our friends from the East Grinstead Concert Band, who played magnificently as usual.

The Vicar of Boxgrove, Fr Ian Forrester led celebration and prayers for King Charles III and Queen Camilla following the singing of a Te Deum in thanksgiving for the Coronation. A loyal toast was proposed by Cllr Henry Potter.

Great work too to our King and Queen for the day, along with the Archbishop and Lord President!"