Built in 1938 and 1939, it commemorates James Hannington, first Bishop of East Equatorial Africa, who was murdered in Uganda in 1885 on the orders of Mwanga II of Buganda while engaged in missionary work.

He was ordained into the priesthood in 1874, and served as the curate of St George's Church in Hurstpierpoint until volunteering for missionary work in east Africa in 1882.

The group had almost reached their destination when they were intercepted by representatives of Mwanga II, the Kabaka of Buganda; they were arrested, and all but four men were killed eight days later[2] on 29 October 1885.

The main body of the church consists of a chancel, an organ bay in the tower and a Lady chapel in the southeast corner.

The floor of the chancel is laid with travertine, a rock which resembles both limestone and marble, and the nave incorporates locally produced beech wood.

The martyr's crown device is used frequently in the internal fittings and decoration, reflecting Bishop Hannington's martyrdom.