Faith in Brighton
.jpg)
With its laid back, free spirited attitude, Brighton is famous as a city where all walks of life and faiths sit tolerantly side by side.
And despite its reputation as somewhere to come and have fun, Brighton is also a spiritually rich and diverse city, offering an eclectic mix of magnificent churches and faith buildings that outdoes its size.
So whatever your beliefs, here are just some of the fine examples of faith heritage in the city...
St Bartholomews Church
St Bartholomew's is one of the tallest parish churches in Europe and was completed in 1874. It is a grade 1 listed church which is famous for its Arts and Crafts decorations by Henry Wilson. Amongst its many treasures is a magnificent high altar with a 45ft baldacchino and backdrop of mosaics. The cause of much controversy at the time, St Bartholomew's is a cornerstone of Brighton's faith heritage and is widely recognised as one of the city's proudest possessions.
Originally built as a mission church, everyone is welcome, whatever their reason for visiting.
Brighton Buddhist Centre
The Buddhist Centre has been teaching meditation and Buddhism in the Brighton since 1974. Activities are directed by members of the Western Buddhist Order, founded in 1967 by Sangharakshita. It is one of over 80 Centres worldwide linked by a common approach to make Buddhism and meditation accessible as a living tradition in our fast changing world. The cenntre welcomes people of all cultures and heritages.
Brighton Mosques
There are 2 mosques in Brighton:
- Makki Masjid al-Quds,150 Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 5PA
- Al Medina Mosque, 34 Bedford Place, Brighton.
St Michael and All Angels
St Michael's is one of the finest grade 1 listed Victorian churches in the country and the first ritualist church of the Catholic Revival in Brighton. Featured in the top 100 of 'England's Thousand Best Churches', it is noted for its fine architecture,sculpture and woodwork, as well as its magnificent stained glass windows, by the pre-Raphaelites, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, Ford Maddox-Brown and Philip Webb. Actually 2 churches in one, it is an inclusive church and welcomes those of all faiths and beliefs.
Friends Meeting House
Set in a lovely garden, Friends Meeting House stands in the very centre of Brighton. Built in 1805 the Meeting House is a 'Grade 2 star' listed building and is the place of worship for the city's Quaker Community.
St Pauls Church
St Paul's, completed in 1848, is an important example of the Gothic Revival in art and architecture, and of the 19th century Catholic Revival in The Church of England. One of the glories of the Church is a complete series of stained glass windows designed by A. W. N. Pugin.
St Andrews Church
Set back from the seafront, this Regency church was built to serve the expanding resorts of Hove and Brighton. Designed in 1827 by the famous architect Sir Charles Barry, its Italian Renaissance style perfectly matches the symmetry and grandeur of the neighbouring squares and terraces.
Middle Street Synagogue
Built between 1874-76 and minutes from Brighton seafront, Brighton's Middle street synagogue has one of the most beautiful and ornate interior's of any shul in the country and has Grade II listed status.
Brighton Unitarian Church
An impressive Grade II listed building near Brighton Pavilion Gardens, Brighton Unitarian Church offers a sanctuary for the exploration of individual spiritual paths. The ethos behind the church is that no creed, faith or individual has the monopoly on spiritual or religious truth.
A short walk from Churchill Square, the Grade II listed church of St Nicholas was the Parish Church of Brighton until 1873 and remains the Mother Church and the only church in central Brighton of ancient interest. Of particular note is the beautiful Norman Font, of Caen stone, now considered by experts to have been carved in 1170.
The attractive church gardens which surround the site formed the main burial ground for Brighton until the 1850’s. Grade II listed monuments to key figures include; Capt. Nicholas Tattersell famed for assisting King Charles II flee to France following his defeat at the battle of Worcester, Regency Architect Amon Wilds, Sake Dean Mahomed – ‘Shampooing surgeon to the king’ and owner of the first Indian takeaway in England, and ‘Queen of the Dippers’ Martha Gunn.
