In June the Brighton, and South Coast Railway opens with trains starting to run from Brighton, through Lewes, stopping at a new station called Polegate.

At this time Polegate is a small Hamlet of around 10 dwellings.

St Mary's Hailsham appoints the Rev’d. George G Harvey, aged 44 he is now responsible for all the souls in Hailsham, Polegate and Pevensey.

Taking over the role from his father the Rev’d. George G Harvey on his retirement. The younger Rev’d Harvey is now responsible for Hailsham, Polegate and Pevensey.

A meeting is held to agree and co-ordinate the planning and fundraising of a ‘chapel of ease’ In Polegate. The village is growing at this time and the convenience of being able to worship without the need for travel is likely the reason prompting this meeting as the main Parish church is some distance away in Hailsham and space limited at the Church School.

The plot of land to the East of the High Street is genorously given by Owen John A Fuller-Meyrick, a landowner from Anglesey.

Building work is completed. The church is at this point part of the Parish of Hailsham under the Revd’ Francis Clyde Harvey.

The Bishop of Chichester authorises acts of Divine Worship, preaching, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper at the church.

The Church holds it's Opening Service in November 1876

Rev’d Harvey the Bishop of Chichester arrives to consecrate St John’s Polegate. Services had already been regularly held since November 1876 when the bishop gave authorisation.

The first communion service at the church takes place in January. Perhaps the previous curate was not fully ordained.

The Rev’d T Phillips doesn't stay long and is replaced the same year by the Rev’d W C Ward.

The bishop visits and confirms those who have been taking their confirmation classes. These candidates are the first to be confirmed at the church.

Up until this time the church has been within the Parish of Hailsham. Published in the London Gazette on the 26th October the announcement is made that St John's Polegate is now a Parish in its own right.

The parish council resolve - In the event of an air raid warning during morning and evening prayer, those on duty or those who felt they must go home, are to leave as soon as possible during the 3 minute pause after the warning, then the service will continue. In the event of an actual raid the congregation is to put their trust in God and obey orders implicitly. It would be helpful to have a churchwarden at the church door to watch for approaching planes and report. If bombing occurs, the congregation is to get under their seats.

With sadness the church close the Sunday School and Women’s Fellowship for the duration of the war. Mr Page (the Churchwarden) is called up, and Mr King is elected deputy in Mr Page's abscence.

There has been a very close relationship between the church and the ARP Wardens, and although the church rooms have now been released by the military, it is felt that, in the long term there is a need for a hall nearer the church.

The 13th May sees a special “Stand-down” Service of Thanksgiving. This is intended specifically for the Wardens and Civil Defence organisation personnel. An amplifier, paid for by a donation, will be used if the church is full and people left outside.

World War 2 anti-tank defences are removed from the church grounds.

St John’s has no churchyard and the historical connection with St Mary’s Hailsham makes Hailsham Graveyard the obvious place for burial plots, but it is three or so miles away. There is an increasing resort to crematoria which creates a need for somewhere to inter ashes and provide a place for family and relatives to visit the person they have lost. The Right Reverend the Bishop of Lewes, consecrates the Garden of Remembrance on the 19th September.

Miss Tolhurst, who can claim to be one of the first to be baptised in St John’s is seen here cutting the first grass turf. The Kentish Ragstone blocks used to match the outside of the church are a gift from St Annes in Eastbourne which was bombed in World War 2.

The Right Reverend Geoffray Warde Bishop of Chichester consecrates the new North Transept, the new vestries and the paths outside the church to the extent of ten feet.

In May, the PCC submits plans to Hailsham Rural District Council for a development with bungalows to the rear of the Broad road site. This will become Church Close.

In April a grant from the Diocese for £576 is received for the building of a mission church or a mission hall. This is to become St Wilfrid’s Church on the Broad Road site.

The Right Reverend Roger P Wilson, Lord Bishop of Chichester dedicates the building.

On the 14th July the Bishop of Chichester, the Right Reverend Dr Roger Wilson, conducts a ceremony to open the new church hall. A small ceremony is conducted in the church and then the bishop walks through a guard of honour, comprising the First Polegate Scouts and Cub Scouts, into the hall which flanks the church.  The Bishop then blesses the hall. With him are the Vicar of Polegate, the Rev’d Peter Thompson and the Archdeacon of Hastings, the Venerable Guy Mayfield.

The property immediately opposite the church is purchased to be a home for further staff.

The building works are completed and services move back in to the church from the hall. On the 3rd December the church is re-dedicated 

The first salaried member of staff at the church dedicated to children and youth.

This means that they will elect their own officers, their own council, have their own bank account and monies, and be self-governing, whilst remaining part of the ‘Combined Parish of St John’s with St Wilfrid’s’, but run their own affairs.

In July restrictions are lifted allowing for the resumption of singing and removing capacity limits on weddings and funerals.