The Nineteenth Century

As we pass into the 19th century, we must look at what was happening in another church, not far from Eastgate – the Presbyterian Chapel in Baffin’s Lane. This congregation probably owed its origin to two ejected ministers, John Willis and John Corbet, both of whom received licences under the 1672 Indulgence to preach in Chichester, the first as a Congregational and the second as a Presbyterian. The first building at Baffin’s Lane is dated variously as 1680 or 1685 and the congregation was known as Presbyterian in the early 18th century. Later it became unitarian like many others.¹

So here we have two churches within a few hundred yards of each other both now virtually unitarian, with the congregations almost interchangeable, and with Eastgate down to very few members and no pastor. In 1804 Eastgate was closed and the congregation joined with the Baffin’s Lane congregation, although there is evidence that Eastgate was not formally disbanded until 1815.

The property belonging to Eastgate (as well as the Dell Hole Field) “was £176, left by Miss Evershed of St. Pancras, Chichester. The annual income from this, a little over £5, went, according to the Trust, to the Baptist Chapel at Billingshurst” but would revert to the Chichester Chapel if it reopened.

¹Unitarian Historical Society. Letter dated 23rd July, 1952