On their knees in Hove church … not praying but cleaning

Volunteers are being asked to come into a Hove church and get down on their knees – not to pray but to clean.

And they will be asked to pay for the privilege as part of a multi-purpose day of activity at All Saints, on the corner of The Drive and Eaton Road.

The money collected on Saturday 12 May will go to support Christian Aid – as Christian Aid Week starts the next day.

And given the grade I listing for the unofficial cathedral of Hove, the church is keen to emphasise that the clean up is not just for members of the congregation.

The church said that volunteers would have a chance to “clean the brass memorials, dust the magnificently carved choir stalls or sweep the imposing aisles”, describing it as “a real chance to get to know a treasure chest of art and history”.

The organisers said: “Those who have already done enough housework during the week can relax with the self-guided tour leaflet and a cup of coffee.

“This is an event to which everyone is invited. All Saints is a part of the community, a church that is for the whole community, not just for committed Christians.

“All that is asked is that participants drop a contribution into the Christian Aid bucket on their way out.”

The vicar of All Saints Father Ryan Green said: “All Saints is a bit of a hidden treasure and its real splendour can only be experienced from the inside.

“Well, now’s your chance! Did you ever think you would be polishing a statue of Dante or dusting the cobwebs off Queen Victoria?

“For a unique way of interacting with an iconic building at the heart of Hove, to make it really sparkle and to raise some money for Christian Aid Week, come and join us. What better way to spend a Saturday could there be?”

There will be a board inside the church with a list of jobs. Volunteers can just a pick a job. Cleaning materials will be provided. And members of the congregation will be on hand to answer questions.