WE KNOW YOUR NAME ~ ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST NEWTIMBER
St John the Evangelist, Newtimber Church, Church Lane, Newtimber, Brighton & Hove, West Sussex, BN6 9BT
Newtimber church has a considerable amount of heritage related to Africa, including the enslavement of African people in the Caribbean, links to the Abolition of Slavery and we cherish a memorial commemorating the loss of African soldiers recruited to fight in WWI.
We have recently discovered that a generous benefactor of the church Charles Gordon, owned three plantations in Jamaica. We have subsequently learnt about the crops they grew, the wealth they generated and the names of the enslaved. When they were awarded compensation further to the Abolition Act they architecturally transformed the church by replacing a bell turret with the current tower. We have mounted a temporary exhibition detailing this history, including the wealth passed down through the family, memorials, stained glassed windows and brass plaques give testament to this.
We know names of all the enslaved people on the Gordon plantations in Jamaica, and we want to give each and every one of them their name back. Schools across Brighton & Hove are invited to write the names of the enslaved plantation workers on sections of calico. We will hang these banners from the tower ~ it was their work that created the wealth for this tower to be built.
Newtimber church has memorials to members of the Buxton family, prominent abolitionists as well as a memorial for the 600+ Africans who were drowned when the SS Mendi sank in 1917.
We will reframe the stories of important global events in this rural spot.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 1000 - 1600 (Banner will be dropped at Midday)
Location & directions
St John the Evangelist, Newtimber Church, Church Lane, Newtimber, Brighton & Hove, West Sussex, BN6 9BT
- Directions:
- Drive north out of Brighton and come off at the HENFIELD A281 junction, just before the Texaco garage. Stay on the A281 for 2 km and the sign for Newtimber Church is just after the hill on your right. Park along Church Lane.
- Contact on day:
- Ngaire Digby
- Telephone number:
- +447595255427
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The brick path from the road to the church is wide enough for a wheelchair, but a bit bumpy, and may not be suitable for an electric wheelchair. Plenty of parking along Church Lane. There are two steps into the north transept where the Gordon memorial is, which will restrict some visitors.
Additional information
The church will have displays and leaflets giving you a better understanding of the memorials in the building, revealing our colonial heritage. Refreshments available from 10.30 - 4.00 on 13th Sept We have woodland and exploratory activities for young children available in the entrance. They are available for visitors now and throughout the summer. The churchyard is always a wonderful place to sit and rest. Bring a picnic, especially if it's sunny. Newtimber church is open all year round and welcomes ramblers, D of E, scouts, school parties, cyclists, Brighton Fringe, recitals & talks.
