Ebenezer Particular Baptist Chapel, Hastings

Ebenezer Particular Baptist Chapel stands in Hastings Old Town, a historic part of one of England’s oldest settlements. Founded in 1817 by secessionists from an earlier Strict Baptist chapel, it grew with the town’s rise as a seaside resort in the 19th century. The building was extended several times and now occupies a steeply sloping site behind Tackleway. After decades of use, it closed in the late 20th century and was converted into a private house. English Heritage recognises its importance by listing it at Grade II. The chapel’s significance comes from its role in Hastings’ religious and social history. In 1851, the religious census recorded 280 sittings, with morning and afternoon attendances of 200 and 210. The minister David Fermer noted that about 300 people attended regularly, though not all at once. The building reflects the growth of Nonconformism in Sussex, which had been strong since the 17th century. Its Neoclassical design, with pedimented façades and sash windows, shows the influence of the period. Visitors find a two-storey brick building with a rendered exterior, now painted. The front has three bays, each with sash windows, and a porch with pilasters and a cornice. Above the windows, a pediment contains a circular recess framed by keystones. At the rear, some original red brick remains, along with arched windows and another pediment. The building’s architectural details, though altered over time, still mark it as a former place of worship in a town shaped by centuries of history.