Catalogue description WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH: HASTINGS CIRCUIT (Hastings, Bexhill and Rye Circuit)

NMA/8/1 Minutes

NMA/8/2 Accounts

NMA/8/3 Circuit books, schedules and plans

NMA/8/4 Register of baptisms

NMA/8/5 Register of deeds

NMA/8/6 Attendance registers

NMA/8/7-10 Miscellaneous

Hastings Circuit

Deposited by the Superintendent Minister on 18 Mar 1986 (A4605 via Hastings Museum) and on 27 July 1987 (A4885), and 10 July 1989 (A5295) and 2 July 1991 (A5719)

Hastings circuit was formed in 1822 and consisted of chapels at Hastings, Bexhill, Westfield, Battle, Hove and Guestling. During the next few years chapels at Eastbourne, Waldron, Hellingly, Sedlescombe, Ninfield, Hollington, Catsfield, Crowhurst, Pevensey Sluice, Netherfield and Fairlight were added though the first three were transferred to Lewes circuit in 1825. By 1843 chapels at St Leonards, Catsfield, Little Common and Netherfield had been added and by 1860 a chapel at Ashburnham. In 1886 the circuit was divided, Norman Road, New Park Road and Caves Road chapels, St Leonards, Belle Hill and Little Common, Bexhill, Ninfield and Dallington forming the new St Leonards circuit and Hastings, Battle, Hollington, Ore, Catsfield and Crowhurst remaining in Hastings, Guestling joined the circuit in 1894 and remained till 1914, coming back again in 1934. Westfield and Icklesham were added in 1934, and Pett in 1937. In 1966, to the existing chapels of Central, Wesley Mission, Calvert Memorial (Hastings), Hollington, Ore, Catsfield, Crowhurst, Mountfield, Westfield, Guestling, Icklesham and Pett were added Rye, Winchelsea, Beckley, Peasmarsh, Iden and Wittersham (Kent) from Rye Circuit