Haywards Heath VII (churches)

Sussex Road Methodist Church

Wyn Ford’s ‘The Church in Sussex Road’ (1994) chronicles the rise and fall of the Primitive Methodist congregation started in 1876. With an emphasis away from set services upon Holy Spirit inspired free prayer Primitive Methodism appealed to ‘the lowly working classes of English society’ (Ford). It became a school of oratory for many leaders in the Trades Union movement. Though Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists formally united in 1932 Sussex Road continued separately until 1991 when its congregation joined Perrymount Road Methodists handing their building over to the Baptist Church. Wyn Ford’s picture is from 1904.

Holy Trinity, Cuckfield


The Church in Haywards Heath was first planted from Cuckfield having been raised up there by the Sussex mission of St Wilfrid in the 7th century. Lewes Priory provided priests from the 11th century overseeing the construction of the present building over three centuries. The photograph from David Jamieson’s ‘Old Cuckfield’ (2017) shows the large turnout for the funeral of Charles Warden Sergison of Cuckfield Manor in 1911. Warden Park schools and the former Sergison Arms take the family name. Though Haywards Heath became a separate parish in 1910 its Anglican Churches remain in Cuckfield deanery.

Haywards Heath Methodist Church


‘The preaching of the free grace of God’ was stated motive for London District opening a Wesleyan Chapel for Haywards Heath on Perrymount Road in 1900. First minister Revd Bennett, a Cornishman experienced as Church builder, prepared the way by gathering a congregation. The picture of the youth club with Revd Connolly from around 1976 evidences the Church’s vitality. In 1991 Sussex Road Methodists joined Perrymount Methodists leaving their building to become home to Haywards Heath Baptist Church. Pictures from Perrymount Centenary book (2000) include an artist’s impression of the 2001 renovation. 

St Wilfrid’s Church



Cuckfield Curate Robert Wyatt saw George Bodley restore Holy Trinity and commissioned him to design St Wilfrid’s 1863-5 to serve the community created by the railway’s arrival. Bodley’s creation towers over Haywards Heath, striking in its noble simplicity. The Gothic revival style affirms continuity through the Reformation of the Church of England, ‘the ancient church of this land, catholic and reformed’ (Catechism).  The stained glass windows in the tower by William Morris were gifted by two sisters in memory of their brother, scholar priest John Mason Neale who founded one of the first post-Reformation orders of nuns in East Grinstead 



Clergy from Cuckfield led services in Haywards Heath from 1856 building up the congregation that transferred to St Wilfrid’s after the building was consecrated by the Bishop of Chichester in 1865. Haywards Heath parish gained full independence from Cuckfield in 1910. Six of the seven priests in the picture taken around then assisted first Vicar, Fr Thomas Wyatt (1854-1939) seated in the middle whose father Robert was pioneer parish priest. The procession along South Road is probably linked to St Wilfrid’s centenary celebration in 1965. The interior view is contemporary. All six pictures are reproduced courtesy Fr Ray Smith and St Wilfrid’s archive.


On Christmas Day 2020 on a family walk through Haywards Heath Cemetery one of my sons spotted the grave of the second Vicar of St Wilfrid’s which I’ve been looking out for on occasional visits. It’s sad no one thought to find Thomas Wyatt a space in the cemetery by the Church he did so much to grow, along with two new town churches, St Richard’s and The Presentation. He also saw to the rebuilding of St John’s as the first Ascension Church (now the town Mosque). Fr Wyatt succeeded his father Robert, Vicar of St Wilfrid’s from 1865, serving from 1891 to 1918 after which he enjoyed a fruitful ministry in retirement until his passing on 19 May 1939 commemorated here.



Comments

  1. ChrisOctober 19, 2023 at 12:00 PM

    Interesting article. Apparently my ancestor Whall the hairdresser used to hold Methodist services at the back of his shop in Boltro Road

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