A Victorian church of flint built to serve Worthing’s poor, consecrated in 1843 and now the second oldest Church of England structure in the town centre.
At a glance
Christ Church stands 85 feet tall, its flint walls among Worthing’s most distinctive architectural features. The church was built by subscription between 1840 and 1843, then consecrated by the Bishop of Chichester, Ashurst Turner Gilbert. It began as a chapel of ease to St Mary’s Church in Broadwater and was elevated to full parish church status in 1855.
History
Early 19th-century Worthing faced a shortage of affordable church accommodation. The existing chapel of ease—now St Paul’s Church—operated as a proprietary chapel, which excluded the poor from its services. To address this social need, Christ Church was funded by public subscription and constructed between 1840 and 1843.
Bishop Ashurst Turner Gilbert consecrated the building in 1843. For twelve years it functioned as a chapel of ease dependent on St Mary’s in Broadwater, but in 1855 it achieved independent parish status, establishing its own spiritual authority in the growing town.
What you see
The church rises 85 feet (26 metres), its construction in flint giving it prominence among Worthing’s townscape. St Paul’s Church stands 100 metres to the east at the opposite end of Ambrose Place, making both buildings visible landmarks in the town centre.
Cultural significance
Christ Church represents Victorian social conscience—a building funded and designed specifically to serve working-class parishioners excluded from proprietary worship. It remains the second oldest Church of England building still standing in Worthing town centre, a testament to 19th-century parish expansion and ecclesiastical democracy.
Key facts
- Country: United Kingdom
- City: Worthing
- Coordinates: 50.81258, −0.37359
- Consecrated: 1843 by Bishop Ashurst Turner Gilbert
- Constructed: 1840–1843
- Height: 85 feet (26 metres)
- Material: Flint
- Elevated to parish church: 1855
Practical information & getting there
Christ Church is located on Ambrose Place in Worthing town centre, opposite St Paul’s Church. For current opening hours, services and visitor information, contact the church directly or consult the Diocese of Chichester website.
Sources & resources
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