7. Late 1960s

April 1966 – Rev Ivor Wallters Vicar of Rottingdean wrote it was ‘agreed as long ago as 1957 that Saltdean (East and West) be created as a separate parish, when the building is out of debt to apply for Parish status'.

3 July 1966 – First Confirmation of 70 candidates mostly from St Margarets & St Nicholas, a few from Whitehawk and Woodingdean. Bishop Warde addressed the candidates.

September 1966 –People gathered in the church hall for Rev Frederick Massey assistant priest of St Nicholas, who retired to Seaford.

21 April 1967 - Rev Derek Tansill licensing as Priest in Charge by the Lord Bishop of Chichester Rev Roger Wilson. It was stated that there would be a separate parish in five years, when debt of £13,000 paid off. 400 people were in church, 50 visiting from Chelsea where he was a curate at St Lukes. Rev Tansill officiated at Sir Edward Maufe’s (parishioners of Chelsea parish) granddaughter's wedding.

24 April 1967 - First general meeting of the Conventional District of Saltdean, to elect church wardens, sidesmen, Diocesan representatives and PCC members . Appointed Church Wardens Ronald Gilbert and Alan Godfrey, Deputy Warden Dr Brian Bayliss, Treasurer Mr V A N Ball, Secretary Mrs R Gilbert.

August 1967 - The First Flower Festival held over three days in August. Organised by Mrs Daphne Beavis, 1,300 people came into the church.

Turfing and rosebeds almost completed, to construct the Garden of Remembrance. Ashes will be buried in the garden and names recorded in the Book of Remembrance.

October 1967 – ‘Outlook’ - the Magazine of St Nicholas Saltdean, edited by D Newbury and P deVille

Parish Organisations 1967
• Mothers Union
• Young Wives Group
• Youth Club
• Outreach Group
• Drama Group
• Discussion Group
• Bible Study Group

3 December 1967 - Garden of Rest dedicated by the Bishop of Lewes

21 January 1968 - Civic Service attended by Mayor of Brighton

8 December 1968 - Dedication of new Chancel furnishings by the Bishop of Chichester

March 1969 – possible Royal Assent for separate parish status.
St Nicholas Church erected at cost of £43,000 building debt now £3,300. 
Completed over last 12 months – choir stalls, clergy stalls had been erected due to generosity of Mrs Straw and the late Mrs Bakewell. Altar rails had also been purchased, and Mrs Flack equipped the church with tapestry kneelers.

29 May 1969 - Published in London Gazette
“Court of Holyroodhouse 23 May 1969 The Queens Most Excellent Majesty in Council, Church Commissioners laid before the Queen a scheme bearing the date 8 May 1969 to create the Saltdean Parish in Archdeaconry of Lewes and Rural Deanery of Kemp Town.”

4 October 1969 – Gift Day, building debt now stood at £2,300.

11 October 1969 - Induction of Derek Tansill by Archdeacon of Lewes