St. Dunstan’s Ashurst Wood

The first St. Dunstan’s church building, opened in 1884. It was then known as the Mission Room and was situated on the main A22 London to Eastbourne road. St Dunstan’s congregation moved to the present church building in 1979, taking over the vacant former URC building near the War Memorial on Hammerwood Road. The move was undertaken because of the poor state of repair of the former building, its inadequate heating and its noisy and vulnerable situation adjacent to the busy main road.

The alterations to the building were financed by grants, interest free loans and much fundraising and the former chapel was transformed into a delightful little country church. Various artefacts were brought from the old building including the pews, a stained glass window and the stone font – now situated in the garden because of lack of space! A modern portable font has replaced it.

Various improvements have been undertaken over the past years including an extension to the car park, and like Holy Trinity, the spire was floodlit to mark the millennium. Over the next few years we will be developing the church buildings to be better equipped for the Church’s mission in the village.

The church is open daily during daylight hours and you are welcome to visit and look round.

We want to develop St. Dunstan’s and its Hall so that it can better fulfil its call at the heart of the community in Ashurst Wood: Facilities for the disabled, multi activity rooms, modern kitchen, adequate office and storage, better and environmentally sensitive heating and insulation, more flexible worship area and many other facilities.

As you can see from the picture the church will have more presence too with a new main entrance from the car park.

The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) visited us on 15 January, met members of the Project Team and Architect, toured the buildings and examined the plans. They were impressed and very encouraging and supportive.

Next we will submit the plans to the Mid Sussex District Council for planning approval.

When that is gained we have to go back to the DAC for a ‘Faculty’. This gives us permission from the Church to complete the Project and get detailed costings and put the work out to tender.

Only then can the building begin!

In the meantime the fundraising continues. We have now secured funding for up to 50% of the project’s estimated cost of £305,000 and we have several other grant applications being considered.

Private donations too are coming in - £11,000 so far!

Please keep praying for the project and above all that it will bless Ashurst Wood.

Plans can be seen displayed in the church and please contact us if you wish to donate to the Project.

Rev. Nick Lamb, Vicar, and Mr Jeremy Kirk, Churchwarden

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