Our Lady of Ransom

Introduction

A mission was established in Eastbourne in 1869, and a brick building was later erected in Junction Road.

History

The building of the present church was led by Father Charles Stapley, commenced in 1890, and was completed in 1903 during the incumbency of Father Paul Lynch. The Lumen Christi group offers formation for young Catholics in school years 9-13, with consideration given to seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Architecture and furnishings

F A Walters designed the church in the Decorated style, built 1890-1903 of buff sandstone with a plain red tile roof. The church comprises a chancel with sacristy, nave, north aisle with baptistry, south aisle, lady chapel, south chapel, south-west tower and spire, and a shallow west porch. A bell turret is positioned over the junction of chancel and nave. The tower has lancet windows in the two lower stages, two-light belfry windows, an octagonal third stage, a parapet with chequerwork and a shingled spire.

The shallow west porch has a Virgin and Child in a niche in the gable. Inside, the four-bay nave has stone multishafted columns supporting pointed and chamfered arches. A west gallery is supported on stone piers. An elaborate Decorated reredos covers the whole width of the chancel with figures of saints under canopies and doors on either side.

A low stone screen stands in front of the chancel. A carved wooden pulpit on a stone base is on the north side. The Lady Chapel reredos has three sculpted panels depicting the Nativity, Adoration and the Flight into Egypt. A Virgin and Child on a pedestal under a canopy is on the north side.

The south chapel reredos shows Christ flanked by two saints. A quatrefoil pier in the nave has subsidiary shafts in the angles, all members with fillets.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Couples must give the parish twelve months' notice before a marriage can take place. The parish centre can be hired for funeral receptions, and in-house catering is available.