St George's Church, Kemptown
St George's Church is a Grade II listed Regency church in Kemptown, Brighton, built in 1824–25 for Thomas Read Kemp's new estate. It is still the area's parish church, but it also runs a community centre and crypt cafe, and is one of Brighton's main venues for folk and alternative concerts.
Photos
amelia Pearce
A Regency church
Charles Busby designed the church in a neoclassical style, in yellow brick and stucco with Ionic columns at the entrance and a central tower topped by a cupola. Clock faces were added in 1840. Inside, galleries run around three sides, and the organ is by J.C. Bishop & Son. Kemp, who developed the Kemp Town estate, paid for it and secured a private Act of Parliament to control its appointments.
Music and community
Today St George's is as well known for gigs as for services. Its size and acoustics make it one of Brighton's larger venues for folk and alternative music, and it hosts events during the Brighton Fringe. The community centre is used by local groups, and the cafe in the crypt is run together with a local special school.
Visiting
Check the church's listings if you want to catch a concert, as gigs are the best way to see the interior at its liveliest. Kemptown's independent shops and pubs are close by, Queen's Park is a short walk north, and the seafront is only a few minutes downhill. Even without a gig, the church's tall cupola tower is a landmark on the Kemptown skyline and worth a look on a walk between the pier and the Marina.
Highlights
- Grade II listed, built 1824–25
- Designed by Charles Busby
- Major Brighton venue for folk and alternative gigs
- Crypt cafe run with a local special school
- Galleried Regency interior
Good to know
- Concerts are ticketed separately; check listings before visiting.
- The church is a working parish church, so be mindful during services.
Frequently asked questions
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · brightonfringe.org