St Mary in the Castle
History
The building is recognised as an architectural masterpiece, the design being based on the Pantheon in Rome.
The architect Joseph Kaye was responsible for designing Hastings' 'Pelham Project' which included a crescent of houses (with the church at its centre) cut into the face of the cliff rock together with an arcade at the lowest level. The complex was designed as a place for people to live, worship and be entertained.
A natural spring flows through the building and was used for baptisms. St Mary in the Castle attracted large congregations and could seat 1,500 with prominent visitors like William IV's widow Queen Adelaide, who had her own reserved pew.
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