NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 27, 31 July 1936, Page 14

NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH

OPENING AT EASTBOURNE

The new Catholic Church at East bourne is to be opened next Sunaay by his Grace Archbishop O'Shea.

The new church is a simple type of Gothic architecture—a concrete base with wood superstructure, plastered outside on metal lathing. Inside, the building is. lined with wallboard and fibrous plaster, finished pale cream and white, while the open Gothic roof timbers are stained and varnished. The windows are glazed with amber-tinted glass which diffuses a warm light through the nave and sanctuary. However, it is hoped that at a later date, this glass will be replpced with suitable stained glass and leadlights. The church contains an entrance porch, a nave 60ft by 36ft, a choir gallery 12ft by 36ft, a sanctuary 20ft by 18ft with small side altars, and a sacristy. It will accommodate 350 people, but provision has been made for adding another bay to nave and ffallery if required Jn the future, to accommodate another 100. The church and school of San Antonio are now parochial property, but the administration of the parish is still left to the staff of St. Patrick's College, the Rev. Father Mannix being the present Adjninistrator. The contract price. was approximately £2800, including the work done to the old building. The architect was Mr. B. F.. Kelly, F.1.A.A., and the contractors Messrs. Husband and Yeatts. The original chapel of San Antonio was built in 1905 to the order of the late Very Reverend Father Keogh, then Rector of St. Patrick's College. This building, which contained a chapel, three bedrooms, dining-roomi kitchen, etc., was used by the college as a weekend resort, and the existence of a chapel provided an opportunity for Catholic residents of Eastbourne to attend Mass on Sundays. This building has now been altered and renovated to form a school, containing two classrooms and a large assembly hall (previously the chapel). The school is under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy, who have established a convent at the Bay, having purchased a property adjacent to the school.