The subscription for the erection of this, the first church in Tunbridge Wells, commenced in 1676 and in 1684 had reached the sum of £1,385. The building was certainly in use by 1684 but was immediately found to be too small and was enlarged, a subscription amounting to £900 having been raised between 1688 and 1696.
The building has an amazing plaster ceiling, covered in floral mouldings.
Here is an early view of the chapel.
This interior view showing the fabulous plaster ceiling comes from the 1898 Pelton Guide to Tunbridge Wells.
The church was revisited on 29th July 2005 in order to photograph the splendid interior.
Here is a view looking east which is an interesting comparison with that above.
And here is another view of the auditorium looking west from the south gallery.
The lovely stained glass is presented on a separate page, here, or by clicking on the thumbnail below, which is a detail from the east window.
Here is the font. There is an inscription on the wall above which reads: "To the Glory of God, this font is erected by Martha Annabella in loving memory of her devoted husband the Revd Francis Harrison Wright MA who entered to his rest 2nd Septe 1906 aged 75 years."
Here is a view of the organ, which is situated behind the pulpit. Flower arranging was in progress!
There are pictures of this church in my Antique Postcard Album:
The Kent Archaeological Society has interesting early pictures of this church, here.
Digital Photograph & antique images
Click here for a complete index of my Tunbridge Wells images.
Visitors to this album since June 2003
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