St. John the Evangelist; a rural church in the Mid Downland Parish with a significant place in global history, from slavery to WWI.
Newtimber church has a critical level of damp ingress which is destroying the fabric of this Grade II* building and to progress a successful grant application from the National Heritage Lottery Funding, we have begun to explore its history .
We have been amazed to learn that this tiny rural church has such significant links to three globall historic events, which in turn has presented us with a unique opportunity to expose its colonial past and explore an exciting future by repurposing the church with a broader community . We have reached out to BPOC groups, inviting them to collaborate and engage with this heritage, while repairing and restoring the building for the next generation.
One plaque in the church celebrates Charles Gordon from Braco, Jamaica who owned over 400 slaves. Some of the funds generated from the emancipation of the enslaved labour on his estate replaced the wooden bell turret. He was awarded the equivalent of £10 million.
Another plaque commemorates Sydney Charles Buxton who was a descendant of the prominent abolitionist Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton. He worked closely with Wilberforce, ensuring the Slavery Abolition Act became law after Wilberforce’s death.
Sydney Charles Buxton of Newtimber Place went on to become Governor General of South Africa and was instrumental in recruiting warriors from the Eastern Cape to support the British war effort in WWI.
We know that over 600 of these warriors drowned when the SS Mendi sank in the English Channel. A memorial to their Chief, Henry Bokleni Ndamase and the generation of men who were lost to the Eastern Cape resides at Newtimber church.
Looking for FREE activities for your children this summer?
- Try our woodland programme!
- Aimed at children aged 4-10 we have lots of exciting games and trails such as
- make a leaf kebab
- follow the bird box trail
- go on a scavenger hunt
- identify trees & do leaf & bark rubbings
- hunt for 10 naughty mice in the church
and there’s lots and lots more!
Everything provided in the church porch, just bring the children and a picnic if it’s sunny!
WC and water are available at the church.
The church is always open.
Find us at the church of St John the Evangelist, Church Lane, Newtimber, BN6 9BT
PS: You might be lucky and spot our rare white squirrel Persil!
Project Lead is
Ngaire Digby (nick name Nigs)
St John the Evangelist – Hassocks BN5 6BT
07595 255427