The history of Cautley House
SEAVIEW HOTEL (1889 – 1992)
(also known as the Sandgate Hotel, Seabrook Hotel, Fredericks and Hythe Regency Hotel)
The Seaview Hotel was erected by local builder J.J.Jeal in 1888-9 and was originally briefly known as the Sandgate Hotel. Situated on the Folkestone-Hythe road, the hotel attracted both holiday and commercial custom and was fully licensed.
The original building consisted of just the balconied section, but it was extended to the east in about 1906. Alterations were also carried out in 1896 and 1913.
In 1961 the hotel was renamed the Seabrook Hotel and at the time facilities included six lock up garages and a secluded garden. In 1973 the hotel changed hands again when sold by auction at the New Metropole Hotel, Folkestone.
By the mid-1980’s the building had been converted into a high-class restaurant named Fredericks, but this was fairly short lived and after an equally brief spell as the Hythe Regency Hotel the premises were vacated.
On 9th November 1994 the former hotel was reopened as an Anglican foundation and is administered by The Cautley Trust with the Archbishop of Canterbury as its patron.
CAUTLEY HOUSE (1994 – Present)
The Revd. Patrick Jones, an Anglican priest, was the first Director of the Centre, and his wife Pam was the first Warden. They had both been involved in the Christian Healing Ministry for many years. It was whilst Patrick was the Rector of a busy parish in Dover that the vision of establishing a Centre for Healing and Wholeness in the Canterbury diocese came to them. The Christian Healing Ministry had become a vital and integral part of the life of the parish church with healing services and 'Days of Wholeness' being held regularly each month. Over a period of several years vast numbers came to the church seeking to find help for the brokenness they were experiencing in body, mind or spirit. It became clear that a Centre was needed where individuals could be welcomed to stay for periods of up to two weeks at any one time in an atmosphere of 'love and healing' or simply to visit for an hour or so.
With the support and encouragement of the then Archbishop and his staff, Patrick took the step of faith and resigned from parish life in order to raise finances needed for such a project. Having received an initial and substantial donation given in the memory of Frank Cautley, it was decided to name the newly formed charitable trust, 'The Cautley Trust'. After four long years, the Trustees of the Cautley Trust were at last in a position to purchase the property known as 'The Hythe Regency Hotel' and to rename it 'Cautley House'. Substantial alterations and refurbishments took place which included converting the bar into a comfortable Chapel, and eventually the house was ready. After a service of Blessing and Dedication, Cautley House opened to visitors and guests on 5th November 1994.
From that time, a constant stream of individuals have visited Cautley House seeking rest, refreshment and the healing touch of God. The resident staff and a team of volunteers are available to offer time, love and ministry to all who come. In a Newsletter, Patrick reported 'The gentle ministry of love has touched and brought healing to many and we give thanks to God for His generosity. We often receive letters and telephone messages testifying to wonderful changes that have taken place in the lives of those who have been here. We believe one of the main strengths of Cautley House is that we stand firmly within the orthodox teaching and practice of the mainstream Church. In recent years, there has been quite an increase in the establishing of Christian Centres for Healing, and sadly the reports in the media on the excesses of practice of the ministry offered at some of these, particularly in the area of deliverance and demonology has, in our opinion, done much harm to the authentic Christian Ministry of Healing and Wholeness. Although we recognise the value and need for Centres for those of differing traditions and interpretations, our aim has and always will be, to ensure we offer a traditional and balanced approach to this ministry. Many who have come to us have been misled and even damaged by over zealous and fallacious ministry, and have a need to find healing from it!'.
Patrick and Pam retired at the end of February 2006 and we have now begun the next part of the journey.
On 1 March 2006 The Revd. Patricia Vowles became the Director/Chaplain and Ms Janice Furby became the new Housekeeper.