James Gray: This is a copy of a very old and indistinct photograph, said to have been taken by a nearby resident, about 1858/9. It shows part of Norfolk Terrace built and work still proceeding. Across the road, the whole of Belvedere Terrace seems complete, but there is no sign of Emmanuel Church, which was not built until 1868. There are two theories about the huge mound of chalk. One is that it was spoil from the deep digging of the basements. The other, and more likely is that the Vicar of Brighton had this huge bank deposited there to provide some privacy for his Vicarage, which was then in the garden behind the chalk. jgc_26_189
James Gray: At the time of this photograph the Church was four years old. It had been built in 1868. The small wooden structure was a toll-house for the payment of coal dues. At this period a duty was levied on every chaldron of coal entering Brighton, for the upkeep of the groynes. This continued until 1888, when this toll house and a similar one on the front opposite Western Street were removed. As can be seen, the house adjoining the Church, 19 Norfolk Terrace, was just being occupied. Building of this short terrace, 19 in all, occupied 8 years, from 1864 until 1872. jgc_26_186
James Gray: Emmanuel Church, Norfolk Terrace and Norfolk Road. jgc_31_097
2019: Emmanuel Reformed Episcopal Church (1868-1965) – also seen in jgc_26_186, 187 and 188 – was replaced in 1967 by the unprepossessing Montpelier Place Baptist Church. This was demolished at the start of 2018 and the 2019 image shows the eastern end of the still unfinished smart new block of buildings by Crowther Associates, comprising townhouses and apartments, and extending along Montpelier Place to York Avenue. This project is remarkable amongst new developments in Brighton and Hove, being a vast improvement on what previously stood on the site. At far left, the houses of Belvedere Terrace built in 1834, on the east side of Norfolk Terrace, have retained their beautiful frontage, complete with ground floor railings and cast iron balustraded balconies. (Photographer: Mathia Davies)
James Gray: Erected 1868. Demolished in 1965. Compare this photograph with that on the previous page [jgc_26_186] which was taken nearly 100 years before. Date of photographs: 6 September 1964. jgc_26_187 and jgc_26_188
2021: The church was the Emmanuel Reformed Epicospal Church within the Diocese of Chichester. After it was demolished in 1965 a Baptist Tabernacle church was built in its place. This was demolished in January 2018 and has now been replaced by houses and flats.The modern picture shows the site shortly after demolition. (Photographer: Tony Bailey)