Drinking fountain immediately north-east of the Church of the Holy Trinity

The drinking fountain, located immediately north-east of the Church of the Holy Trinity, was erected in 1861 based on designs by SS Teulon (1812-1873).

Constructed from carved Portland stone, the fountain features recessed polished granite panels and marble columns. It showcases a neo-Gothic design with a large square pedestal that has recessed granite panels on three of its four faces, each inscribed. Below each panel is a moulded fountain bowl supported by a short column and capital adorned with a cross on the shaft. The fourth face of the pedestal, which faces the Church of the Holy Trinity, includes a timber panelled door set beneath a three-pointed arch.

Atop the pedestal is a finely carved canopy with a crocketed pinnacle and gables, supported by four marble columns featuring floral capitals and finials above. The top stage of the spire is missing, and within the canopy, there are weathered figures, including a sculpture of Jesus. The partial remains of the finials are present on three of the four corners of the pedestal.

The inscriptions on the three recessed granite panels read: on the north face, ‘ERECTED 1861 BY SUBSCRIPTION BY THE INHABITANTS OF HASTINGS AND ST LEONARDS INCLUDING THE PENCE OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS EDUCATED IN THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS’; on the north-east face, ‘JESUS SAID WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THIS WATER SHALL THIRST AGAIN BUT WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM SHALL NEVER THIRST’; and on the south-east face, ‘TO SARAH COUNTESS OF WALDEGRAVE IN GRATEFUL COMMEMORATION OF THE CONSTANT SUPPORT AFFORDED BY HER TO THE RELIGIOUS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE BOROUGH AND NEIGHBOURHOOD’.