A Tour of All Saints Church Hove
All Saints Hove, The Drive, Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3QE
All Saints was commissioned by Revd Thomas Peacey, appointed vicar of Hove in 1879, to be dedicated to the memory and honour of all the Saints. The foundation stone was laid in 1889, the nave and aisles consecrated in 1891 and the east end, choir and sanctuary consecrated in 1901. The exterior is built of Sussex sandstone, roofed with oak and slate and the interior of ashlar stone.
The facade has carved figures of the saints of England, Scotland and Wales as well as St Andrew with a boat which recalls Hove's origins as a fishing village. The tower is unfinished.
Entering the church through the Narthex you can observe the majestic sweep of the nave with its arcade of columns and soaring pointed arches towards the sanctuary with the striking focal point of the ornate reredos behind the high altar.
Other notable features are the marble font covered by a carved wooden case shaped like a spire; the original 1905 William Hill & Son organ regarded as one of the finest in the UK; the beautifully carved stone pulpit; the magnificently carved oak choir stalls in the Chancel and the Chapel of the Holy Spirit with a splendid vaulted roof and brightly coloured carved reredos behind the altar.
Visitors can also admire the superb stained glass windows most of which were designed by Clement Bell of Clayton and Bell including those above the West front and above the High altar, the latter being a complete entity, symbolic of the triumph of Christ.
All Saints Hove, The Drive, Brighton & Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3QE
There are steps into the Chancel, Sanctuary and Spirit Chapel. The rest of the tour is fully wheelchair accessible. Toilets are accessible in the Crypt by stairlift.
Before the afternoon tours visitors may wish to attend the regular Thursday Lunchtime concert starting at 1pm. The concert will feature an organ recital on September 12th.