There have been a number of wealthy, philanthropic Jews, who, in the last century, contributed greatly to the development of Brighton and Hove, and had a wide impact on the general life of the area in local Government and trade.

Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid (1778-1859) was an English financier and the first Jewish baronet. His title, Baron de Palmeira, was bestowed on him in 1848 by the Queen of Portugal.

On 25 March 1830 Goldsmid purchased the Wick Estate comprising 200 acres in Hove and 50 acres in Preston for £60,000.

Goldsmid offered to donate the site where St. John’s church was later to be built. His formal offer was made in a letter dated 20 January 1848 written from St. John’s Lodge in which he stated, “Understanding that the erection of a church near Adelaide Crescent would be likely to be convenient to the inhabitants of the houses there and to those who reside in the neighbourhood, I beg to repeat it, in a more formal shape, an offer I made some time ago.”

St John’s Church was erected in 1852-4. Goldsmid developed Palmeira Square and Adelaide Crescent  and many street names in Hove are a reminder of his generosity.

From the church, turn eastwards in the direction of the town centre and stop in Palmeira Square.