Welcome to the Church of King Charles the Martyr!
We are a thriving Anglican church in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, only a stone’s throw away from the town’s famous Pantiles shopping parade. We welcome people from all walks of life to join in our church life, with activities for families, children and young people.
In our church you will find a place to be still and contemplate, a chance to grow in faith through prayer and liturgy, services of Christian worship enhanced by beautiful music, and a friendly welcome into our growing church family.
We are a member of Inclusive Church, and open to all.
Whether you are here because you want to find out about the Church and its activities, ask about weddings, baptisms or funerals, or you want to know more about its fascinating history and architecture, or you have arrived here by accident, I hope that you will find something to interest you.
As the oldest building in Tunbridge Wells, built to serve the needs of visitors to the chalybeate spring nearby, King Charles the Martyr has seen many changes in its near 350 years of life. Today, as part of the Anglican Diocese of Rochester, its provides a home to a lively Christian community that seeks to serve those who live and work around it, and to be open and welcoming to all wherever they feel they are in terms of the Christian faith. Do visit us if you are in Tunbridge Wells.
The Church is usually open between 11am and 1pm Monday to Friday. On Sundays it is open at service times only.
Inclusive Church
King Charles the Martyr is a member of Inclusive Church. This means we uphold the following statement:
“We believe in Inclusive Church – church which does not discriminate, on any level, on grounds of economic power, gender, mental health, physical ability, race or sexuality. We believe in church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.”
If you would like to find out more, please click below
The Chapel Transformed, 1880-1889
The chapel became a Parish Church in 1889, with reversed orientation. At the chancel step, as now placed, you would in 1880 have been standing under the organ-gallery. A few feet away against the side wall of the chapel stood the Communion table, behind the worshippers and half hidden in a windowless space under the gallery. Structural alterations began by removing the gallery, and cutting through the chapel wall to form a chancel arch. The old schoolroom behind gave way to a Sanctuary, furnished with Credo and Paternoster boards brought from the newly- demolished Wren church of All Hallows, in the City. Seating in the Nave was turned about to face the new Sanctuary, and the old three-decker pulpit was taken away. After long delays, a minute parish of sixty-seven acres, much of it open common-land, was agreed.
