PARISH OF ST LEONARDS ST MATTHEW SILVERHILL

The first church of St Matthew Silverhill was sited on land purchased from the Eversfield Estate, St Leonards-on-sea, by John Cumberlege, who was to become the church's first rector. The foundation stone was laid on St Matthew's day, 21 September 1860; the church opened 16 May 1861 and was consecrated by the Bishop of Chichester in 1869. The parish of St Matthew Silverhill was created from the parish of St Leonards in 1870. In the same year, following Cumberlege's death, his widow Mary Cumberlege transferred the patronage of the church to the Simeon Trustees. A new church, designed by JL Pearson, opened in 1885 to meet the requirements of a growing congregation. Construction of this new church was funded by public subscription, in a campaign led by Revd Francis Edward Newton, rector of St Matthew's church from 1882 until his death in 1891. The church was consecrated by Revd Richard Durnford, Bishop of Chichester, 25 November 1885.

Other church property included St Matthew's CE School, which opened in 1878 but was destroyed by enemy action in 1943; a mission hall 1912-1959; and the original church building used as a parish room from 1888. A rectory, designed by Arthur Colpoys, was built in 1886, again funded by public subscription. That building was later sold and a new rectory, designed by Wylson and Cox, built in 1964.

Summary of contents:

INCUMBENT

PAR474/1/2 Baptism registers; 1870-1968

PAR474/1/3 Marriage registers; 1870-1980

PAR474/1/4 Banns registers; 1902-1916

PAR474/3 Service registers; 1875-1974

PAR474/4 Buildings and property; 1860-1985

PAR474/5 Institutions, inductions, licences; 1926-1938

PAR474/7 Other records; 1886-1985

CHURCHWARDENS

PAR474/10 Property; 1891-1977

PAR474/11 Other records; 1870-1924

VESTRY

For minutes of annual vestries, 1871-1969 see PAR 474/14/1/6, 14/2/1-2

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

PAR474/14 Minutes; 1871-1971

PAR474/15 Accounts; 1944-1979

PAR474/16 Other records; 1910-1982

SCHOOLS

PAR474/25 St Matthew's CE School; Nov 1950 - Jan 1951

SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND CHURCH GROUPS AND RECORDS OF PARISH OFFICERS

PAR474/43 Church Lads Brigade

<p>For map showing the proposed district of St Matthew, Silverhill in the parish of St Leonard (formed 1870) surveyed by [George] Voysey, Jeffery and Skiller, Hastings, 1869 see AMS5644/1/2/3; for copy probate of will (Dec 1888) of Francis Edward Newton, [rector of St Matthew, Silverhill 1882-1891] see ACC7755/93;</p>

Deposited by the incumbent and PCC, 10 April 1987 (ACC 4820)