Chichester Cathedral's American Patrons celebrates the many American connections within the diocese.
Chichester Cathedral American Patrons was launched to celebrate the many connections that exist between Sussex and North America. Following recent in-depth research into the Cathedral’s extensive Anglo-American heritage, we are keen to share all that we have learnt about our transatlantic links.
U.S. Independence
The father of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine, lived in Lewes, East Sussex. Thomas Paine was introduced to Benjamin Franklin by the third Duke of Richmond, whose Goodwood Estate lies just outside Chichester. The Duke gained the title of the ‘Radical Duke’ because of his support for the American Revolution.
Part of the mystery of the ‘Sussex Declaration’ – the only ceremonial parchment manuscript copy of the American Declaration of Independence other than the signed copy held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. – lies with the Duke, Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin. Harvard University is hard at work with the West Sussex Archives, where the Sussex Declaration is in safe-keeping, to establish the history behind this unique piece of shared American and English history.
West Sussex Record Office (Add Mss 8981) © West Sussex County Council
George Washington's Ancestry
The family of George Washington, the first President of the United States, has roots in West Sussex. Washington's great-great-grandfather, Lawrence Washington, was born in the village of Sulgrave, just north of Sussex, and the family’s coat of arms, featuring stars and stripes, is believed to have inspired the American flag.
World War Two
Lt. John Stanley Parker was the first American to die in action in WWII. He joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserves and served on HMS Broadwater, which was sunk by a German submarine in 1941. Lt. Parker’s memorial is in Chichester Cathedral’s Sailors’ Chapel.
Billy Fiske was the first American pilot killed in the war. A plaque in St. Paul's Cathedral honours him. Fiske is buried in Chichester’s Boxgrove Church Cemetery, West Sussex. The inscription reads: “An American Citizen, Who Died so That England Might Live”
The Pilgrims' Link to Sussex
While the Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 are often associated with Plymouth, Massachusetts, some of their early supporters and settlers had connections to Sussex. The Sussex town of Lewes was home to some of the early advocates for religious freedom, a key motive for the Pilgrims’ journey to the New World.
Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Chichester Psalms’
Leonard Bernstein’s "Chichester Psalms" were commissioned by Chichester Cathedral and premiered in 1965. This powerful piece of music not only showcases the cultural exchange between the U.S. and the U.K. but also highlights how the Cathedral has been a significant patron of the arts on both sides of the Atlantic. The Psalms premiered earlier that year at New York’s famous Carnegie Hall. A live 60th anniversary performance will be held on 17th May 2025 at the Cathedral.
Gifts from the U.S. to Chichester Cathedral
Over the years, Chichester Cathedral has received several generous gifts from American benefactors, including donations that have helped preserve its historic architecture and art. These gifts reflect the ongoing appreciation and connection that many Americans feel toward this iconic long-standing institution. Please visit our 'Make A Donation' page to find out more about the work we help support.
Delve Deeper to discover the shared heritage between the US and Sussex.
Do you know why William Penn was sent to the Americas and why King Charles II granted him the charter for what became modern day Pennsylvania?
If want to hear more about our transatlantic connections, then join the ongoing mystery!
If you would like to receive communications regarding the work and events of the American Patrons, please contact Jake Parke by either email or telephone through the details below:
Jake.Parke@ChichesterCathedral.org.uk
01243 812991
We would love to hear from you - tell us about your U.S. connection!