The Friends of St Mary's Church, Shoreham-by-Sea (Charity number: 280315) support the ongoing maintenance and restoration of St Mary’s, one of the most magnificent and architecturally important Parish Church buildings in Sussex.

This beautiful and ancient building receives no funding from either the government or the Church of England to support its upkeep. In the late middle ages, the de Braose family funded the upkeep using money from trading at Shoreham port, but after some years financial responsibility was transferred to the people of the town. 

The cost of upkeep often falls to the worshipping congregation but through The Friends a wider representation of the Shoreham residents are able to contribute to the upkeep and maintenance. It is not just Shoreham residents who are Friends, we have members from all over the world!  National Churches Trust gives a little more insight to the charm & beauty of this Grade 1 listed building.

The Friends raise funds for repairs, maintenance and restoration of this important Norman church at the heart of modern Shoreham.  Anyone can become a Friend – individuals, companies and organisations and you don’t have to be local.

You can join here as an individual for £10, or as a household for £15.  Please take a look at the Friends online shop.  Also, the Friends organise the Christmas Tree Festival each Advent, Fundraisers (such as Quiz Nights, Ride & Stride) and Trips & Pilgrimages, so do keep in touch.

Together we can preserve this beautiful building to ensure it remains at the heart of Shoreham for centuries to come.