Baldslow Tin Church

From Historical Hastings
St Peter's Baldslow Interior

The church of St. Peter, was an Iron Chaplery or Tin Tabernacle, built on the property of the owner of Beaulieu (later the site of Hydneye House, Maplehurst and Helenswood schools), and opened in 1862, having arrived in a 'flat pack' form.

The font and caretaker (Mrs Bishop)

The church had a bell cote on the west end containing a single bell, approximately 12” in diameter, hung in a ‘B’ frame and chimed by a lever and was consecrated in 1873[1], with a school room associated nearby. Prior to this time, the congregation had met in a nearby Oast House.

Originally in the parish of St. Mary In The Castle, it came within the enlarged parish of St. Johns Church, Hollington, in 1902. During 1935, the church showed films with a religious theme with the aim to raise funds for replacement of the metal-skinned ​building​, which by that time needed many repairs and was threatened by ​road​ improvements on The Ridge[2].

The associated School-Room

A donation of £10,000 was made towards the re​building​ of the church by Mr Halladay, but it is not recorded where that money was eventually utilised[3]. The church closed in 1979, with the ​building​ being demolished to facilitate ​road​ improvements on The Ridge


Images

References & Notes

  1. Hastings & St Leonards Observer 14 June 1952 pg. 4
  2. Hastings & St Leonards Observer 30 November 1935 pg. 17
  3. Hastings & St Leonards Observer 15 March 1952 pg. 1