The Emmanuel Centre

The Emmanuel Centre is part of the Beacon Parish. It has been the venue for regular Youth Work and also for community activities including a children’s Ballet Class, the Sussex Set Dance group and breakfasts. 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

History of The Emmanuel Centre

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 worshiped 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 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.

In the Centre is a hall which can seat 60 people, a modern, well-equipped kitchen, two toilets and a grassed area with garden furniture behind the building. In front of the building is space to park eight cars. 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.

At the end of March 2024, The Point moved from its base in St Paul’s School, Burgess Hill and merged with St Andrew’s Church also in Burgess Hill. In view of the accommodation available at St Andrew’s, The Point decided it no longer needed the space afforded by Emmanuel Centre. The building is still wholly rented by The Beacon Parish.