St. Mary's Church, Brighton

Saint Mary's Church is a Roman Catholic parish located in the Preston Village area of Brighton and Hove. This historic church, built between 1910 and 1912, stands as a fine example of the Arts and Crafts style influenced by Gothic Revival architecture. It was designed by Percy Aidan Lamb, a student of the renowned architect Edward Goldie, and it has been recognized as a Grade II listed building, signifying its importance and heritage.

The church's location is prominent, situated on Surrenden Road at the corner of Preston Drove, directly opposite Preston Park. The church's history is closely tied to the arrival of the Sisters of Charity and Christian Instruction of Nevers, who settled in Preston Village in 1903, fleeing the secularization in France. Initially, they worked within the parish of Saint Joseph's Church in Brighton and later established a convent school in the Withdean area, where their chapel served the local Catholic community.

As the Catholic population grew, Father Frederick Hopper, the chaplain to the convent, initiated efforts to build a new church. In 1907, land was purchased from the Preston Manor estate, and with the financial support of Catherine and Denis Broderick, construction of Saint Mary's Church began. The foundation stone was laid on 9 August 1910, and by 7 April 1912, the first Mass was celebrated in the church. However, construction was not fully completed due to a disagreement over the prioritization of building the sanctuary versus a tower.

Lamb, who had recently established his architectural firm in London after working under John Francis Bentley at Westminster Cathedral, designed Saint Mary's Church with a blend of Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts influences. One notable interior feature is the church's onyx font, designed by Lamb and crafted by J. Whitehead & Son using columns originally intended for Westminster Cathedral.

Today, Saint Mary's Church continues to serve its parish with regular Masses, including three on Sundays—one on Saturday evening and two on Sunday morning—as well as weekday Masses from Monday to Saturday. The church remains a significant religious and architectural landmark in Brighton and Hove.