A church has undergone a transformative refurbishment in a bid to revive its dwindling congregation.

St Leonard’s Church in Hove now features a striking timber porch to welcome the community through its doors.

Located on New Church Road in Hove, the Grade-II listed Anglican church was originally built in the 13th century, and the existing Victorian building features a textural facade of knapped flint across its double-nave form.

St Leonard’s remained in operation with a dedicated yet dwindling congregation, despite not having a resident vicar for four years, but faced closure in 2016. In contrast, the busy and bustling St Peter’s Church in nearby Brighton with its large, youthful congregation was outgrowing the available facilities.

New outdoor path lights have been installed for better accessibility and visibility.New outdoor path lights have been installed for better accessibility and visibility. (Image: Gareth Gardner) A vision to reimagine St Leonard’s as a versatile community asset led to a partnership between the church council, the Diocese of Chichester, and St Peter’s. This partnership saw 30 of St Peter’s community members join Vicar Ali Marshall in working alongside the smaller existing traditional congregation to revitalise St Leonard’s. John Puttick Associates won an invited competition to realise the community’s vision in 2020, and funding for the construction was secured from the Church of England in 2021.

As well as relocating the entrance of the church, external landscaping improvements include the renewal of pathways, a new outdoor seating space, and installation of new outdoor path lights for better accessibility and visibility.

A café has also been installed in the smaller nave with a counter crafted from repurposed choir stalls. A café has also been installed in the smaller nave with a counter crafted from repurposed choir stalls. (Image: Gareth Gardner)

A café has also been installed in the smaller nave with a counter crafted from repurposed choir stalls.

Ali Marshall, Associate Vicar at St Leonard’s Hove Church, said:                             

“It looks stunning but also really works practically for our now bustling church and community events. Reactions from both people who knew the church before and also those coming in for the first time are of wonder and appreciation of the best of old and new elements of the building looking great together.’’