All Saints Church - Lewes

All Saints was first mentioned in the 13th Century, but when the church was rebuilt at the end of the 14th century, only the tower remained from that earlier building. The small adjacent parish of St Nicholas was added to All Saints in the Middle Ages - the renowned St Nicholas Bell Gabriel was salvaged to be hung in the Market Tower much later in history.

Consecrated September 1st 1807, the Old Church having first been pulled down and the present church erected in its place in 1806, (special Act of Parliament).  The present Chancel was added in 1883. These changes must have radically altered the layout of the churchyard as pre 1883 prints show numerous Alter Tombs in the space now taken up by the chancel.

Present day reference to the Burial Registers and the Inscriptions on the Tombstones indicate that the graveyard must have been very congested throughout the Victorian Period.

Presently the Church is being used for Social Functions, Performing Arts and as a Cinema.

The 1851 Religious Census of All Saints, Lewes

Free Seats 60 + 100 for Charity Children, others 623 - Total 783

Morning attendance 264 + 66 = 330, Afternoon attendance 203+74 - 277

John Scobell, Rector of All Saints, Lewes, Southover Rectory, Lewes.