The Emmanuel Centre

The Emmanuel Centre, 20 South Street, Ditchling BN6 8UQ is supported by the Beacon Parish and The Point Church (which is an Anglican Church based in Burgess Hill).

The Centre is the venue for Youth Work from both churches (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings) and a Coffee, Chat and Play group for all ages on Thursday mornings during term time. A Ladies’s Breakfast is held on the first Saturday morning of each month. The Centre is also used frequently by both churches for other gatherings on an irregular basis.

In addition, the Centre is regularly used for community activities including a children’s Ballet Class (Wednesday and Thursday afternoons). It is available for hire by other individuals and organisations not necessarily related to the churches.

Contact: Dr Keith Hine via the Beacon Parish Office on admin@beaconparish.co.uk

There has been a place of worship on South Street in Ditchling since 1904. This was called Emmanuel Chapel and was run by the Brethren denomination. Some of the older residents of the village remember the old ‘Tin Tabernacle’ as the original building was nick-named. That hall was replaced by the present brick building in 1973. Worship services continued there until 2017 when the congregation had reduced to about five ladies. The Church Growth Trust, which manages the building on behalf of the owners, approached the Beacon Parish and The Point church (an Anglican church which worships in a school in Burgess Hill) enquiring if they were interested in using the premises. After discussion between the leadership of both churches, it was felt right to proceed with a Tenancy Agreement whereby the Beacon Parish would be the main tenant and it would sub-let to The Point. Expenditure on the building would be shared equally between the two churches.

The launch of the Emmanuel Centre

28 January 2018

History of The Emmanuel Centre

The Tenancy agreement started in October 2017 for a five year term which has now been extended to 2027. The building required considerable work to upgrade and decorate it. Both the Beacon Parish and The Point had special fund-raising appeals and together raised over £30,000 to renovate the premises. The work on the building and garden area was carried out by volunteers from both churches. Although the building was in regular use during the process of renovation, a formal service of blessing and consecration was led by Richard, the Bishop of Lewes on 16 April 2019.