Church History | Church History |
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| Written by Alastair Cutting | |
A Brief History of Copthorne Parish Church The mid Victorian parish church of St. John the Evangelist, Copthorne, was built in the 1870’s and was completed by 1877; services were held by special license until 4 August 1881, when the Bishop of Chichester formally consecrated the church. It has an attractive stone exterior, with a red, black & white brick interior. Before that, Copthorne had largely been part of the ancient Anglo-Saxon parish of Worth. The new parish was also carved out of part of the neighbouring new parish of Crawley Down (formed in 1862), and from Burstow and Horne. The population in 1881 was 1,079 (and 1,335 by 1935). The Surrey/Sussex County boundary still passes through the parish boundary, and there are many old stories of smugglers and bare fist fighters taking advantage of the protection such a position gives from opposing county police forces!  The Church was built by the generous gift of Lady Jane Lampson and her husband, Sir Curtis Lampson, Baronet, of Rowfant. Sir Curtis was an American living in this country while laying the first trans Atlantic communication cable. By the 2000 Copthorne has grown to over 6,000 people, and our predecessors of 100 years ago would not be able to imagine the thought of the M23 or Gatwick airport! The church has also grown and developed over the years. There is an active congregation of around 100 most Sundays. The Sunday Clubs and other youth activities cater enthusiastically for children from crèche to post-teen age. The church is made up of many ordinary people some old Copthorne families, some very new to the village; some very down to earth, some with prominent and important jobs. The thing that links them all is they are all seeking to know more of God’s love, to experience it for themselves, and share it with others. We pray that you will know God’s blessing on you, his love drawing you closer to him, today, and everyday. St. John's Mission Statement Helping the community of Copthorne to know Jesus more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow Him more nearly. (after the prayer of St Richard of Chichester) |