In the early 1900's, to the Anglican Rector the threat of Nonconformity in the eastern reaches of Uckfield was a serious one. Who could be expected to walk all the way from Framfield Road to Holy Cross if the Congregational and Methodist chapels were so much nearer? The problem was solved by a gift of land, by the Hon, Henry Portman, on which a corrugated iron church (St Saviour’s) was erected in 1904 with a small hall at the far end which could be hired out. The advantages were only marginally offset when it rained hard and ‘You couldn’t hear a thing inside the building’.

A Brief History of St Saviour's

St Saviours Church was originally a timber framed building clad in corrugated iron probably a prefabricated structure like those marketed by the firm of William Cooper Ltd of Old Kent Road, London.  These portable cottages and other buildings had been produced since the 1850's and many were exported to British colonies.  The site, then part of the Buxted Park estate, was given by the owner, Lord Portman with the stipulation that it must always be occupied by a place of worship.  St Saviour's and perhaps Christ Church in Ridgewood may well have been the Anglican response to a nonconformist upsurge in the southern part of Uckfield.

The later building was described as a "tin tabernacle" as it was a temporary structure of wood and iron.  In the November 1904 issue of the Holy Cross parish magazine announced that St Saviour's would be dedicated by the Bishop of Chichester on Friday 18th November.  The church itself had been completed and many of the costly fittings had been provided by benefactors.  Requests were made, however for donations to purchase further accessories.  Since the beginning of October of 1904, subscriptions varying from 2s 6d to £5 were received but there was still a need for more money.  On All Saints Day, two £5 notes were received at a service which enabled the church to begin its life not only debt free but with a balance to meet any needs that may arise.

The old St Saviour's church was closed in 1970 and demolished and in 1972, it was replaced by a block of 17 sheltered accommodation flats, one of which is occupied by the warden. It is recorded that some prominent businessmen in the own, original Trustees, built the flats to accommodate retired single, able bodied, professional business people.  Lord Portman's injunction was honoured by incorporating a small chape in which services were held, until quite recently.

The new building contains the stained-glass window (Three "east" lancets 1906) from the 1904 structure, which was believed to have been made by Arthur Louis Moore & Co, who were prolific glassmakers who produced over 1,000 windows in the UK and 100 overseas.  The altar rail from the old church as well as the bell from the turret on the roof is located on one of the walls in the Chapel.  The original organ from the old church is now in St Margaret's church at Isfield.

When not in use the sanctuary can be partitioned off, allowing the nave to be used for community purposes.

Background to the Status of St Saviour's

St Saviour's or to give it's full title, the Uckfield & District Housing Association limited (UDHA Ltd) is not currently a charity but it was back in the 1960's.  On 24th November 1966, the UDHA Ltd was registered with the Charity Commissioners as a charity (number 249693) with the charitable objects of "carrying on the industry, business or trade of providing housing and any associated amenities for persons of limited means upon terms appropriate to their means".