Church of King Charles the Martyr, Royal Tunbridge Wells

The Church of King Charles the Martyr stands in Royal Tunbridge Wells, a town in Kent. Built in the 1670s, it was the first substantial building in the area. The church began as a chapel of ease for visitors to The Pantiles, a fashionable promenade. It was dedicated to King Charles I, who was executed in 1649. The building was constructed by Thomas Neale on land belonging to Viscountess Purbeck. For over thirty years, it had no resident vicar and relied on visiting clergymen. The young Queen Victoria worshipped here with her mother, and a plaque marks their pew. The church’s design reflects its long history and craftsmanship. Its red-brick exterior and plaster ceilings with five domes date from 1678. Henry Doogood, a plasterer who worked with Sir Christopher Wren, expanded the interior in 1688. In 1882, Ewan Christian reoriented the church and added a chancel reinforced with steel. Panels in the chancel came from a demolished Wren-designed church in London. A stone in the pavement outside once marked the boundaries of three parishes and two counties. Inside, visitors find a quiet space with fine plasterwork and a small stained-glass window. The Ruth Window, made in 1969 by Lawrence Lee, depicts Ruth gleaning in the fields. The altar panels and the plaque commemorating Queen Victoria add to the church’s historical presence. The building remains a Grade I listed parish church, its small parochial area unchanged since 1889. The surroundings include The Pantiles, a short walk away, linking the church to its origins as a place for visitors.