Campaign to ensure under-threat Hove church stays open

Campaigners are looking for support in preserving a historic Hove church amid fears it will close.

St Leonard’s Aldrington has stood on its site in New Church Road, Hove since the 13th century.

But with church attendance on the decline, those running it have approached the Diocese of Chichester asking for it to host a consultation on whether it should remain open.

A spokeswoman for the Diocese maintains that no decision has been taken and the survey will simply look at the potential options.

But with no guarantees it will remain open, locals have started a petition to try and save it.

The petition reads: “We believe St Leonard’s Church is much loved by the people who live in the West Hove area. They think of it as ‘their church’.

“Many have happy memories of services at the church, others regard it as a place of calm in the bustle of life.

“We believe this church should stay open to serve people, not only through worship but also through community use. We urge the Diocese to give us more time to prove this is possible.”

More than 50 people have signed the petition so far.

Julie Dovey, of Brighton, said: “This is not only a place of worship it is part of the wider community, not only would it be missed but an opportunity to provide more facilities to the local population would be lost.”

A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Chichester said the PCC of St Leonards approach the diocese asking for a consultation closing

She said: “It’s not something that we have brought about.”

The spokeswoman added it was similar situation to what faced St Peter’s Church in Brighton a number of years ago.

The building, dubbed the building, dubbed the cathedral of Brighton, has since been taken over by Holy Trinity Brompton.