St Mark's Church, Brighton

St Mark's Church is a church building in Kemptown, Brighton, built with knapped flint walls combined with brick and stone details that reflect Victorian Gothic Revival design. The structure features a traditional rectangular form with pitched roofing and demonstrates period craftsmanship throughout its exterior.

The building was originally constructed in 1838 as a private chapel for St Mary's Hall School and transitioned to parish church status in 1873. This change came through the initiative of Frederick Hervey, who recognized the structure's importance to the expanding Kemptown community.

The church serves the local community beyond traditional worship, functioning as a shared space for school activities and artistic gatherings. This multi-purpose role shows how a Victorian structure remains woven into everyday community life.

The building is easily accessible in a residential neighborhood, so visiting works best when school activities are not happening. It is worth checking ahead since the space serves multiple functions and may have limited public access at certain times.

The building originally held over 1000 seats, with roughly half offered for free to worshippers who could not afford to pay. The paid pew system was finally abolished in 1930, marking a shift toward equal access for all.