Our Lady of Ransom Church, Eastbourne

On 29 May 1867, a mission started in the town to serve the local Roman Catholic population. It was in 42 Ceylon Place in the town. The first priest was Fr Charles P. King. In less than a year after the mission began, Fr King paid for a chapel, made of brick, to be built on Junction Road. On 1 April 1869, it was opened. It was dedicated to Stella Maris. On 14 April 1890, the old Our Lady of Ransom Church was opened by Fr Charles Stapley. It was a temporary church close to Grove Road. It was previously the market hall and it became a garage for the police station. For the next ten years attempts were made to build a permanent church in the town. In February 1893, Fr King left Eastbourne. On…

Before 1900, the site of the present church was bought. On 11 December 1900, the foundation stone of the church was laid. The architect was Frederick Walters and he designed the church in the Gothic Revival style. The total cost of the construction of the church came to £11,000. On 15 December 1901, the church was opened by the Bishop of Southwark, Francis Bourne, who went on to become a cardinal and Archbishop of Westminster. In 1903, the church was completed, with the exception of the tower. By that time, the priest of the church was Fr Paul Lynch. In 1912, the church's tower and spire were completed. On 11 February 1926, various church extensions, such as the chancel, lady chapel and…