period included the formation of several clubs and societies, funds to help people during the Great Depression, and the installation of a war memorial to commemorate 18 church members who died during World War I. In 1934, a Methodist guest house was opened nearby; the Central Church held a dedication service for the new building, and many guests would worship at the church during their stay. Central Methodist Church was involved in World War II in several ways. Its large space and central position made it a natural "reception centre", and thousands of evacuees from London passed through on their way to their temporary host families. By 1940, Eastbourne was considered to be at high risk of attack, so thousands of residents and former evacuees were sent to the church before being evacuated out of the town. The church was classed as Eastbourne's "controlled zone", and about 35,000 people passed through in a few days in September 1940. Many churches in Eastbourne were damaged (or in some cases destroyed) by bombs from late 1940 onwards, but Central Methodist Church survived unscathed—although on one occasion an unexploded bomb landed nearby, threatening its destruction—and although the building was temporarily closed (because its central location made it vulnerable), services continued in the crypt, which also served as a makeshift shelter. The Sunday school closed for a time as well. Membership of the church continued to rise after the war, as Eastbourne recovered and began to grow again. The highest recorded figure (excluding summer visitors, who always boosted attendances significantly) was 486 in 1967, by which time youth clubs, women's groups and a choir had been established. Meanwhile, the Society of the People Called Methodists, founded in 1803 at Sea Houses, continued its unbroken history by meeting regularly at the church. Central Methodist Church was designated a Grade II Listed building on 13 August 1996. It was licensed for worship in accordance with the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855 and was given the registration number 43233, and was registered for the solemnisation of marriages on 9 September 1908 in accordance with the Marriage Act 1836. Later history and closure For several years until 2013, a Baptist congregation shared the church premises. Ceylon Place Baptist Church, a brick and Bath stone Early English Gothic Revival building, was built on the road of that name in 1885 to replace a tin tabernacle erected in 1871.