About this Church: building of the new church
The Church from 1940 - 1960
The Goring Congregational Church was inaugurated on 4 August 1940. The congregation meeting in Elm Grove School Hall.
The building of a new church was delayed due to the outbreak of the Second World War.
The new hall was eventually started in the Spring of 1948 and it was decided that it should be known as Goring Congregational Church although some favoured "West Park Congregational Church".
The architects were Messres Denman of Brighton. the cost of the building being around £5400.
(Bank of England calculated value = £200,000 in 2020)
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As the Church grew, plans were made under the leadership of the Rev Cyril Franks to build a new church with a capacity of over 300.
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Celebrating our 60th Anniversary: 16 September 1961 - 16 September 2021
The pictures below show Cyril Franks in the pulpit in the hall [then, the Church], The architects drawing, building committee and the stages of building the new, now present Church.
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The Architect was Mr F W Winward of Messrs Weston, Burnett and Thorne of Southampton.
The Builders were William Willett (Contractors) Ltd of Hove and London.
Cost of the building works £27000. Approximately £650,000 in todays money.
Rev Cyril Franks
In pulpit of dual purpose building. c1954
Artist's impression of new build
Church 1960
The Building Committee
L-R back row:- Harry Horsfall, Arthur Mercer, B Hoskins, J Latham, Robin Parker, Ken Silverstone and ?
L-R front row:- H Lord, M Handford, Rev Cyril Franks, Francis Wills, G Nodes
The Portal Frames
Photo: Francis Wills
The New Church
Opened 16 September 1961
L-R Rev Cyril Franks, Mr F Winward (Architect), Francis Wills (Building Committee Chair) and the Builder. Photo: Colin Nodes
Photos submitted by Colin Nodes
Updated 30 November 2018