The creation of this outstanding late Victorian gothic church was made possible by it’s patron the local brewer Pickering Phipps, the local architect Matthew Henry Holding and it’s first incumbent The Rev. J. R . Hussey. It went up remarkably quickly between 1893 -1895 and with it’s fine tower topped by a steeple remains a significant land mark in this part of the town.
Internally it was well furnished with an alabaster font and pulpit by Aumonier, a reredos by Nathaniel Hitch, an iron work screen by G.R.de Wilde, and stained glass by Clayton & Bell etc. Into this comparatively new soaring space were introduced, by the vicar’s son and successor the Rev. Walter Hussey (later Dean of Chichester), two mid 20th century masterpieces.
These are a Madonna (or mother and child) by Henry Moore, 1944. This deeply moving Horton stone sculpture can be found in the north transept. Opposite in the south you will see Graham Sutherland's Crucifixion, 1946.
The Stations of The Cross are by David Thomas, the hanging figure of Christ by Malcolm Pollard, the bronze of St Matthew, 2009, is by Ian Rank - Broadley.
Please refer to the Glossary for any terms in the text that you are unfamiliar with.
