James Gray: Built originally as a Congregational church, replacing an earlier tin chapel, and known as the East Brighton Congregational Church. It became the Kingscliffe Cinema about 1920-21, and continued in use as a cinema for more than 60 years, despite a much later change of name, and of the style of film shown. Closed late 1986. Additional Information: Now converted to flats. jgc_22_142
2019: The tin chapel mentioned by James Gray was one of many churches built of corrugated iron in the 19th century. They were easy to erect but not appreciated by everyone. In 1890, William Morris wrote in a leaflet that corrugated iron buildings “were spreading like a pestilence over the country.” The tin chapel in Sudeley Place, erected in 1868, was replaced around 1891 by the congregational chapel (later cinema and now flats) that survives today. (Photographer: Jayne Paulin)