Church Street (3)

James Gray: This small area of ground just north of the original burial ground of St Nicholas’ Church was the first detached addition, just across Church Street. First used for burials in the early 1820s it was soon filled up and the further land became necessary. The adjoining house is 40 Church Street. Until about twenty years ago the year of the inauguration of this burial ground, which was inscribed on the white stone above the entrance, was still legible. From memory I think it was 1820, but I may be wrong. The ground is now used as a children’s play area. jgc_31_100

2019: There are no significant changes to this scene of the south entrance to the northern extension of the churchyard, opened in 1824 and now a children’s playground. The archway, flint wall and number 40 Church Street show no deterioration more than 60 years on. The 2019 picture was taken from just within the main churchyard of St Nicholas’ Church. (Photographer: Mathia Davies)

James Gray: Founded in 1878 in small premises at 23 Queen’s Road, the need for a larger building for treatment of ear and throat disorders soon became apparent. In 1897, this building was erected on the site of the old Star Brewery, in nearby Church Street, only about 100 yards away from the original hospital. In 1986 the decision was taken to transfer these departments to the Sussex County Hospital. The hospital was closed in August 1986, sold next year and demolished in 1988. These two photographs [jgc_31_105 and 106] and those on the succeeding page [jgc_31_107, 108 and 109] were taken on 31 August 1986. This one shows the main entrance in Church Street. jgc_31_106

James Gray: The side view of the Hospital, looking west. jgc_31_107

2019: The old hospital on Church Street, between the buildings of Queen’s Road and the churchyard of St Nicholas’ Church, has been replaced by the large apartment block, St Nicholas Lodge, built in the late 1980s. The north entrance to Zion Gardens can be seen in both pictures. Despite being referred to by Gray as the Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, we see here that its title was Sussex Throat & Ear Hospital. (Photographer: Mathia Davies)

James Gray: View from Queen’s Road looking up Church Street to the Hospital and the trees of St Nicholas’ churchyard. jgc_31_108

2019: Part of this view differs very little from that of over thirty years ago (the shop lower right is still a clothes store). However, the old hospital has been replaced by a red brick block of flats called St Nicholas Lodge. (Photographer: Mathia Davies)

James Gray: The rear of the Hospital, as seen from within the churchyard, showing the memorial gravestones arranged along the boundary wall. These were removed from their original positions over the graves many years ago, when the churchyard was landscaped. jgc_31_109

James Gray: We knew these houses as 42/3/4 Church Street but when first built they were known as Centurion Place. The stone quoting date of erection was high up in the façade of No 42. Captain Fred Collins of Skylark fame lived for some time in the centre house. Note the flint wall in St Nicholas Road, left. This was part of the old wall, which enclosed the workhouse, removed in 1867. Photographed 17 October 1965, they were demolished two months later. jgc_31_110

James Gray: Plaque in the wall showing Centurion Place 1833. jgc_31_111

2019: These buildings are demolished so it is not possible to provide a corresponding updated image. (Mathia Davies)

James Gray: An odd mixture of houses and small business premises, Centurion Road was built some 25 years later than Centurion Place. There is a strange story about how this was named. The three houses were built by Cornelius Shrivell who died in 1837. A devout man he read in the Bible, Acts, Chapter X of Cornelius, the centurion, and used this title for his houses. Centurion Road carried on the name, and at one time houses at the northern end were called Centurion Terrace. Additional Information: Mirfields, Builders. jgc_31_112

James Gray: Showing the entrances to Centurion Road and New Dorset Street. jgc_31_113

2019: This and the following image are overlapping views from the top of the tower of St Nicholas’ Church, with the door visible here at extreme left being that of the house pictured more centrally in jgc_31_114 below.

James Gray: Showing the entrances to Centurion Road and New Dorset Street. jgc_31_114

2019: This continues the view from St Nicholas Tower eastward. Most noticeably missing in 2019 are the tall houses of Centurion Place which dominate the left side of the old image.

James Gray: Church Street from Crown Gardens to Mount Zion Place. So far these houses are still standing (1967) so it may be that some will escape demolition. jgc_31_123

2021: The view up Church Street today. The houses which did not survive are situated centre left of Gray’s photograph, standing at the end of Kew Street.