St Peter's Church, St Leonards-on-Sea

St Peter's Church is a former Anglican church in the Bohemia area of the town and seaside resort of St Leonards-on-Sea, part of the Borough of Hastings in East Sussex, England. Founded in 1883 in response to the rapid residential growth of this part of St Leonards-on-Sea, the "outstanding late Victorian church" was completed and opened in 1885. Architect James Brooks was towards the end of his career but still produced a successful, powerful Gothic Revival design, which was built by prolific local firm John Howell & Son—builders of several other churches in the area. After the closure and demolition of the nearby St Paul's Church and the merging of the parishes, the legal names of the parish and church were changed to St Peter's and St Paul's Church. The church came to national attention in 2009 when its long-serving vicar was arrested for organising sham marriages. The church was declared redundant by the Diocese of Chichester in 2011; since 2010 it has been home to Sonrise Church—an independent Evangelical congregation. English Heritage has listed it at Grade II* for its architectural and historical importance.