31/07/2026
St Olave's Day Celebration
On Tuesday 29 July, Christians from across West Sussex gathered to celebrate the Feast of St Olave.
Although the building has served as a Christian bookshop since the 1950s, it remains a consecrated church, and each year its ancient walls once again ring with prayer and praise as the annual Eucharist is celebrated.
This years’ service was led by The venerable Dr Tom Carpenter, Archdeacon of Chichester, who both presided and preached, reminding the congregation that St Olav's, along with every church up and down the country, is the embodiment of the Kingdom of God, and that the building continues to be far more than a bookshop. It remains a place of welcome, learning and witness, serving Christians of every tradition while bearing testimony to nearly a thousand years of faithful worship.
The service, organised by the staff St Olav's, brought together people from churches across the Diocese and beyond. Worship followed the beauty of the Book of Common Prayer tradition, reflecting the long heritage of the building while pointing to its continuing ministry in the heart of the city.
Following the Eucharist, worshippers stayed to enjoy refreshments and conversation among the bookshelves, renewing old friendships and making new ones. It was a reminder that Christian hospitality is expressed not only around the altar but also over a glass of something cold and a shared conversation.
The annual St Olave's Day celebration is a unique occasion, linking Chichester's Saxon past with its present mission. In a busy shopping street, where countless people pass through the doors each day, St Olav's continues to offer a quiet place of welcome, conversation and faith, and we pray that it may continue to do so for years to come.
