It's not every day you get the chance to secure a part of Rye’s architectural and cultural history but if you have access to approaching £500,000 (plus fees) you could become the proud owner of an iconic and superbly situated freehold building in the heart of Rye’s Conservation area, available now with vacant possession.
The Methodist Church at 19 Church Square is an interesting proposition, built in 1903 and according to the selling agents offers over 4,000 sq. ft of useable space arranged over two floors and with a courtyard to the rear.
When the Methodist Church announced in 2021 that they would be vacating the building, local residents met to discuss how the building could be repurposed to benefit the local and wider community, a wish which is still on the agenda for many.
Other groups and individuals have expressed an interest in the church for a variety of alternative uses and, as the building is not listed, there is potential for residential or commercial use, subject of course to the usual planning consents and contract and in addition, subject to the National Methodist church and national custodian trustee policies and practice.
Wouldn’t it be exciting if it were to be secured by locals for use by locals but now that it's available to the open market it’s anyone’s guess as to who might become the new custodian. This property is likely to cause a lot of interest but whatever the outcome, it will be good for Rye to see a currently empty and decaying building being repurposed and no doubt the selling agents, Dyer and Hobbis, will have to field a lot of enquiries before any transaction is concluded.
Rye Methodist Church is now at St Mary's Centre in Lion Street and Sunday worship is every Sunday morning at 10.30.
