The Rector retires
The Revd Jonathan Meyer retired at the beginning of February 2025.
We are now in the process of recruiting a new priest to minister in Icklesham, Winchelsea and Pett.
Please check our home page for information on parish contacts and the pattern of Sunday services during the vacancy.
St Richard’s Winchelsea Beach
Worship at St Richard’s came to an end in 2020, a consequence of Covid 19. A final Service of Thanksgiving was held in June 2023 and the building was then sold.
Cremated remains that had been buried in the grounds of St Richard’s over the years were placed in Winchelsea churchyard.
Services at Winchelsea Beach began in the 1930s as the new community came into being after the First World War. The whole area was evacuated during the Second World War and worship did not resume until 1949. The original church was housed in what had been lock-up garages but in the 1950s new building was proposed. Designed by Duncan Wylson of Rye and built by Padden and Durrant, the new St Richard’s opened in 1962.
The new church might have been allocated to Rye Harbour or to Pett, but in 1966 it was agreed to combine Winchelsea Beach with Winchelsea parish, recognizing the role that Winchelsea had taken in supporting the building of the new church.
Wildflower Circles
We have created three wildflower areas to increase the biodiversity of Winchelsea churchyard.
They encourage insect life which, in turn, helps give a food source to our colony of Swifts, which return each year to their nest sites in the walls of the church.
Church of England
