Wednesday, May 16, 2007
14th May. Tunbridge Wells Part 1. Church.
Visit to Tunbridge Wells.....
We explored the church of King Charles the Martyr - dedicated to King Charles the 1st who was executed in 1649.
This church was the first permanent building in Tunbridge Wells. Before 1676 there was no village nor name on the map. Visitors came to take the waters but there were no lodging places closer than Southborough or Rusthall.
The church building has evolved through the centuries.
It is famed for the white moulded plaster ceiling.
This is an engraving of the church in 1719.
We explored the church of King Charles the Martyr - dedicated to King Charles the 1st who was executed in 1649.
This church was the first permanent building in Tunbridge Wells. Before 1676 there was no village nor name on the map. Visitors came to take the waters but there were no lodging places closer than Southborough or Rusthall.
The church building has evolved through the centuries.
It is famed for the white moulded plaster ceiling.
This is an engraving of the church in 1719.
This is a modern picture of the church - taken from round the corner from the engraving viewpoint. It doesn't look much from the outside.
This is a post card showing the interior. The 2 pillars had to be built after the first renovations. The church had to be doubled in size very early on and the original wall was knocked out and the church doubled in size.
There are balconies along either side of the church.
At the end of each pew is an umbrella stand. Mr Joseph Hanway introduced the umbrella to this country in 1775. He was on the church council. No doubt he thought the umbrella stands would encourage people to buy his umbrellas and boost his profits.
This was taken in the balcony, trying to show some of the wonderful ceiling.
When the church was first built the altar was on the opposite side of the church. This is a Victorian addition
Organ and plasterwork.
The Bible, open at the day's reading.
The sundial was purchased in 1771.
The bell tower. See that dreadful grey sky!
