Our Church
St Leonard’s Church is primarily a place for Christian worship, for congregations large and small. It is also a quiet oasis, open every morning of the week and some afternoons, where individuals may pause for peace and for prayer. Some come to give thanks for good things, some to ask for God’s help, others to pray or to ask for prayers for those they love.
Then too, the church is a place where Christian teaching, counsel and pastoral care are offered. It is a place of fellowship for anyone, whether they belong to the church or not. It is also a springboard for Christian evangelism, social action and outreach into the wider community.
Along with St Luke’s Church at Chyngton, St Leonard’s serves as a hub for the life and activities of the Parish of Sutton with Seaford, in the Church of England. Far from being just a building of history and of intriguing architecture and furnishings, St Leonard’s Church is a significant home for worship, ministry and mission in the name of Christ.
Our Place in the Town
St Leonard’s Church is a prominent landmark at the centre of Seaford. Though surrounded by other buildings of later date, some of which are nearly as tall, its imposing tower catches the eye of people entering the town along its main roads, or walking on the nearby chalk cliffs, and it is also plainly visible from offshore. A flag flies here on festivals – and since the beginning of this millennium both tower and nave have been gently floodlit at night.
The church stands in a large square churchyard - an acre in extent once known as ‘God’s Acre’ - scattered with upright memorial stones ranging from 1702 to 1917, and with some box tombs and an obelisk, many recording the names, family and occupations of interesting people who once lived or worked in the area. (The churchyard is now closed for burials except of cremated remains.)
At the heart of the bustling business and shopping district, this churchyard is crossed by well-used brick footpaths 
running between the main shopping streets and the post office, police station, medical centre and a public house. People are always passing by. Some stop to sit on the grass or boundary walls, to enjoy the outdoors; it is an open space for people to enjoy.
Because of its central position and also because it has the largest seating capacity in the town, the church serves as a venue for various big events, including civic and community occasions, services for war veterans and for scouts and guides, school celebrations, and choral or musical concerts. (Its acoustics are good.)
Again, because the church is prominent it is for many people the most obvious place to which to turn for baptisms, weddings and funerals. It also serves as a venue for remembrance services or books of condolence in times of human tragedy
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