Historic England backs restoration plans for St Mary in the Castle

St Mary in the Castle, the imposing centrepiece of Pelham Crescent, was put on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in November last year. Pelham Arcade, directly below the site, was already on the Heritage at Risk Register.

The register gives communities a chance to understand which heritage assets are at greatest risk and highlight those that offer the best opportunities for positive development. It was first published in 1998, with three-quarters of the sites on the first national Buildings at Risk Register now removed from the register as no longer at risk.

An Historic England spokesperson said said: “Its location has created conservation challenges over the years. Happily, the crescent is currently undergoing repairs to protect and preserve it for the future.”

St Mary in the castle was built between 1825 and 1828. After closing as a church in 1970, it became an arts and performance venue in the 1990’s before shutting its doors in 2022.

Built into the cliff itself, it features a semi circular, subterranean stone-vaulted auditorium, a domed roof, and circular galleries.

Essential repairs to Pelham Crescent are ongoing to protect the structural integrity of the facade and rock roof, aiming to safely rehabilitate the landmark for public use in the future.

A spokesperson for Friends of St Mary in the Castle said: “It was great to see St Mary In The Castle featured by Historic England. “Our chair was with Historic England to announce it being added to the Heritage at Risk Register, and although this can be a worry time for any building, the added attention that listing can bring should be seen as a positive step forward towards finding a rescue plan for this much loved and unique space. “We are pleased with the investment and works currently taking place from Hastings Borough Council, but we want to do so much more, which is why we have put in our own expression of interest to take on the building - for the community, by the community. “Be part of it by signing up as a Friend of St Mary today at www.StMaryInTheCastle.org.”