St John the Evangelist

The church of St John the Evangelist, (Newtimber church) dates from the 13th century, being the oldest building in the parish, with the first rector recorded in 1281. Set in the South Downs National Park, it serves a rural parish. As a building of significant heritage value, it plays a vital role in the community life of the area, regularly serving as a venue for worship and local events, and is also a key stop on walking trails and routes, with a footpath, formerly an iron age route way, running adjacent. The building is open every day. The church is Grade II* listed and classed as “vulnerable” by Historic England. 

Newtimber church is a very special building that provides a unique and currently hidden view of the Colonial history of Britain, particularly in relation to slavery and abolition.

In the 19th century Charles Gordon Jr late of Braco, Jamaica and Newtimber Place, received over £8000 in compensation for the emancipation of 403 enslaved Africans and people of African heritage. The Gordon family are memorialised around the church. Thus it is clear that the church benefited from the proceeds of the slave trade which is an aspect that we do not intend to shy away from. 

Sidney Buxton, 1st Earl Buxton, was the descendent of Thomas Fowell Buxton a prominent abolitionist. He was Second Governor-General of South Africa and was instrumental in recruiting black South African men, via their Tribal Leaders, to support the First World War effort. In 1917 the troopship SS Mendi was carrying black South African soldiers when the ship was rammed in the English Channel resulting in the loss of over 600 men. These soldiers were not permitted to carry weapons, only shovels. There is a memorial to these lost souls in Newtimber church together with a staff that was presented by the indigenous people of South Africa to ensure that the church is now their symbolic home. That staff is a much-treasured item which currently part of an exhibition at Chichester Cathedral.

The church is always open and there is fresh water always available and an accessible toilet.