A brief history of the Trust
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In the early 19th century the perceived need of the Church of England in Chichester was for more seats to absorb the overflow from the inner city parishes
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In 1812 an Act of Parliament sponsored by the Bishop and Dean & Chapter was passed to enable a new church to be built in Chichester
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St John the Evangelist's Church was built, funded by subscriptions, gifts and pew rents
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St John the Evangelist's Church (known locally as St John's Chapel) was designated a Grade I Listed building in 1950
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The Diocese of Chichester declared the Church redundant in 1973 and it was placed into the care of the Redundant Churches Fund (now the Churches Conservation Trust) in 1976



St John's Chapel 3-tier pulpit

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In 1978 two charities were set up to manage the remaining assets and in 2009 these were merged into the single charity we know today as St John's Trust. Chichester
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In 2023 St John's Trust, Chichester became Saint John's Trust, Chichester
(a Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
Charity Number 1203056