James Gray: Copy of an interesting print showing the approach to the Church and old cottages then included in North Street. Those at the left remained until comparatively recent times. Reputed to date from 1770, but I have doubts. I do not think the three cottages and the double-gabled building behind were as old at that. jgc_21_021
James Gray: This rare photograph shows the Church as it was immediately prior to restoration and alteration by Mr R C Carpenter. An outside flight of steps gave access to the galleries. The building to the rear of the two boys was a separate chantry, apart from the church, with a sundial over the two-light window above the doorway. The restoration was carried out as a memorial to the Duke of Wellington, and the Church was reopened to the public on 8 April 1854. The original of this photograph was by Mr George Ruff, 45 Queens Road, and is reproduced by kind permission of his grandson, Mr Aubrey M. Ruff, 101 Edburton Avenue, Brighton. jgc_31_091
James Gray: The Church photographed from about the same position 100 years later. At the restoration the architect Richard Carpenter designed the chancel in such a manner as to include the chantry; the house type windows in the roof were removed and the entrance moved a little to the east.
James Gray: See caption for jgc_31_093 above. The original stereoscope photograph. jgc_31_094
James Gray: All three photographs [jgc_31_095, jgc_31_096 on the Montpelier Road page and jgc_31_097 on the Norfolk Terrace page] were taken in the period 1869-72. This photograph shows the then Parish Church of St Nicholas. No comment beyond this is necessary. Additional Information: Grave of John Scutt 1679-1744, George and Mary-Ann Suggers. jgc_31_095
James Gray: This photograph of the old Mother Church of Brighton while not the oldest, has one claim to distinction. It was printed from a very old waxed paper negative, dating from about 1860. It would therefore have been taken just a few years after the restoration of the church was completed in 1854. Additional Information: © Phillipe Garner. jgc_31_098
James Gray: A religious service held on the tower of this, the original Parish Church, on 9 August 1902, the Coronation Day of King Edward VII. Additional Information: Choristers on tower. jgc_31_099
2019: The church tower looks as it did; the view in both images is of the north face from the Church Street side. The tower is one of the oldest parts of St Nicholas’ church, dating from the 14th century but also containing stones of Norman origin. Scenes such as that shown over a hundred years ago would be impossible today as the roof of the tower is generally inaccessible due to health and safety issues. (Photographer: Mathia Davies)
James Gray: The rear of the hospital, as seen from within the churchyard, showing also 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: The grave of Anna Maria Crouch. jgc_31_103
2019: The inscribed memorial plaque on the tomb (as seen in jgc_31_101) of Anna Maria Crouch was written by her long term lover Michael Kelly, who provided the memorial itself.