We recently discovered that Charles Gordon, a 19thcentury benefactor of Newtimber Church, owned 3 Jamaican plantations, worked by enslaved people.

Following the abolition of slavery in 1833, the Gordons received compensation for financial losses. The Gordons spent some of this money transforming Newtimber Church, adding the tower.

Additionally, Newtimber church has memorials to the Buxton family, descendants of the abolitionist Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton.

Research has now given us most of the names of the enslaved people who toiled on the Gordon plantations, and they are read out in the Youtube file below. Also, featured is an interview "Honoring Untold Histories".

A special service marking Heritage Open Day took place at St John the Evangelist, Newtimber Church on Saturday 13th September. It brought together those who have helped shed light on the church’s links to transatlantic trade. Marking the culmination of the “We Know Your Name” project for Heritage Open Day, the morning saw staff from Church House Hove, the Archdeacon of Horsham, Angela Martin, local historians, interested local residents and church members gather to remember hundreds of people formerly owned by Charles Gordon, a plantation owner linked to the church. The Vicar, Tim Hartford, opened the service, followed by reflections from historian Alan Lester and volunteers who have been key to this important work.

Our thanks to all the dedicated volunteers, Sussex University, Brighton & Hove Museum, and University College London for collaborating on this project. Today’s special gathering was a powerful reminder that when churches and communities work together, real change in understanding our shared history is possible.