The Church
Another important part of church life at St Andrews's was the afternoon 'Church Parade' on Hove Lawns (the seafront), which became one of the main features of the season in Brighton and Hove.
Each class of worshipper had their own entrance to the chapel, so that they would only ever meet with people of the same social standing as themselves. This is why there were three entrance doors at the west end. After the service, it was possible that different classes would meet in the street, and this is probably why there is the long established tradition of a secret tunnel running from the church to the Kerrison Arms Hotel (now The Iron Duke Hotel) opposite. It would have allowed the aristocracy to go from one exclusive world to another, without setting a bad example to the working classes.
Unsurprisingly, the first minister, (or perpetual curate as he was known), of the chapel was Everard himself. the high status of congregation and an enormous initial outlay made it sensible for him to perform the job himself. However, ten years later, as part of the widespread church reform movement, it became illegal to hold more than one church appointment, and Everard reluctantly employed another priest, The Revd. Owen Marden, to look after this aristocratic congregation. From Census Returns, we know that Marden had a house at 22 norfolk Square, just to the east of Brunswick Town.
In 1851, the National Census of Religious Attendance was taken. This showed that 350 people attended morning service at St. Andrew's and 300 in the afternoon. Total seating accommodation at that time in tall box pews, was 420. Mr Marden's income was then stated to be £150 per year plus £15 fees.
By the mid 19th century a simple rectangular place of worship with no structural division between the nave and chancel was frowned upon, especially in a 'high church' area such as Brighton and Hove. In 1882 the Revd. Daniel Winham decided to enlarge the chapel by the construction of a proper chancel. He achieved this by purchasing, at the cost of £2000, a former stable to the east of the church and commissioning Charles Barry junior, son of the original architect, to build an apsidal chancel on the site. For this reason, St Andrew's is sometimes known locally as 'the Father and Son church'
In 1922 Father Stanley Kirkley was appointed to St Andrew's and immediately set about 'turning it into a little bit of Italy', adding many sumptious furnishings and creating the spectacular interior we see today. He was to remain vicar for 40 years, during which time the pattern of church going changed and St Andrew's congregation declined. Having survived several attempts at closure in the mid 20th century, St. Andrew's was eventually declared redundant in 1990 and passed to the care of the Redundant Churches Fund (now The Churches Conservation Trust). Repairs and redecoration have recently been completed under the supervision of Messrs Carden and Godfrey of London WC2.
Today St Andrew's enjoys a new role, promoted by the Friends, as a popular venue for concerts, social events and art exhibitions. The feast day of the patron saint is marked by a service in this still consecrated building, at the end of November.