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All Saints Church
Hastings
(Description mainly written in 1911 by Henry Cousins for his book “Hastings of Bygone Days and the Present” published by F J Parsons, Observer Office, Claremont, Hastings).
All Saints Church in All Saints Street, first mentioned in 1284 when it was in the possession of the Abbey of Fecamp in Normandy, was formerly styled the Upper Church to distinguish it from the Lower Church of St Clements, and formed one of the principal objects at the entrance of the Old Town from the Old London Road. It is considered to be of an anterior date to St Clements.
The style is Norman Gothic and the present building is said to date from the 14th century—evidence coming from the will of Richard Meckynge who in 1436 desired to be buried in the New Church of All Saints.
The list of Rectors is given in Moss’s book “History & Antiquities of Hastings, published in 1824”, and includes “Samuel Oates” 1660-1674, the father of the notorious Titus Oates. (Informer in the Popish Plot)
Amongst those buried in the Churchyard is George Moggeridge, familiarly known as “Old Humphrey”, who died at No 4 High Wickham, Hastings on November 3rd 1854.
In 1740 the advowson came into the Webster family, of Battle Abbey, and in 1770 the smallness of the benefices of the two parishes of All Saints and St Clements led to their being united with the consent of the Corporation, and subsequently in 1832 the Rev John Goodge Foyster became patron and incumbent of both livings, and by him were again divided as the town increased.
The 1851 Religious Census of All Saints, Hastings
Morning attendance 200 (Not so many as frequently)
Afternoon attendance 400
Congregation much depending on weather - owing to situation of church
Henry Samuel Foster, Rector of All Saints, Hastings.
St Clement and All Saints Sunday Schools are united. The attendance of the school is divided between the churches. Parish consists very much of poor fishermen. Many hold absent. |
