About All Saints

We are a Church
for the whole community
a place of inclusion and welcome

At All Saints we take seriously our ministry of hospitality to all who live in our Parish. As a member of Inclusive Church, we believe that each of us is made in the image of God, siblings to one another, and should be honoured as such. We open our doors through the week, with stay and play, our playgroup Little Fishes, and our wonderful café, One Bread. We partner with other organisations such as Choir with No Name and the Network of International Women to support people in our community experiencing homelessness, who are looking for support and community.

We are a Church
for the curious
and those who wish to explore

We believe that the Christian faith is rich, vibrant, joyful and transformative: Good news for all people. No matter our age, or our previous experience of faith, there is always more to learn. We provide opportunities for learning and reflection from Sunday groups for children and youth, to discussion groups for adults new to faith. There are regular opportunities for all of us to reflect on what faith has to say to us about our lives, and the world in which we live.

We are a beautiful Church
full of music
where all can find their voice

At All Saints we are part of a rich musical tradition which rejoices in ‘the beauty of holiness.’ This is reflected in multiple facets of our life. We have a wonderful, thriving Parish choir which sings week by week, with people of all ages, including choristers who sing twice a month. We are also delighted to partner with Brighton Voices, an inclusive friendly and talented community choir.

All Saints hosts regular concerts by other organisations. We are a venue for the Brighton Festival, and we host our own series of concerts through the summer months, welcoming a wide variety of musicians to enrich our community.

All Saints was commissioned by the first Vicar of Hove, Thomas Peacey, who was appointed in 1879. The building was designed by the great Victorian architect John Loughborough Pearson, who had just completed Truro Cathedral. All Saints is built in the thirteenth century French gothic style. Its foundation stone was laid in 1889, and the stunning east end, stone reredos, and carved choir stalls were finished about ten years later. The church is a Grade I listed building constructed of Sussex sandstone. Both the architecture and stained glass speak eloquently of the beauty and transcendence of the divine.

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit has a magnificently carved wooden screen commemorating those who died in WWI. The roof of this chapel, unusually, is vaulted, and the carved wooden reredos features the Blessed Virgin Mary in the centre, and from left to right are Bacon, Byrd, Fra Angelico, and Dante; two renowned ecclesiastical writers, a musician, and a painter; all expressions of the creative inspiration of the Spirit.

All Saints is rich in very beautiful late Victorian glass windows, all of which were designed by Clement Bell ensuring they form a whole in which each window has its own story to tell. Among them the South Transept window displays the Church Triumphant, known colloquially as a Te Deum in glass. The great West window was designed to throw the light of the evening sun into the sanctuary, and was donated in memory of King Edward VII who worshipped here on occasion. The Jesse window in the tower feels different to the others with vibrant colours of green and blue.

Behind the high altar stands the remarkable stone reredos, designed by Pearson, and sculpted by Nathaniel Hitch. In the centre is a life-sized figure of Christ crucified with angels crowning his head. A representation of the costly triumph of divine love. On the south side can be found the sedilia, three seats carved in stone and used by the celebrant and sacred ministers at mass. On the north side is the bishop’s throne, which commemorates early Sussex Christians and bishops including St Richard of Chichester (d. 1253) who stands directly above the throne.