Vale Royal Methodist Church
In 1812 the first Methodist chapel in Tunbridge Wells was built on the present site, at a cost of £2000 plus £300 for the land.
Additions to the original building, for the use of Sunday School and other organisations, were made in 1821 and 1839, Methodism's centenary year. In 1840 the chapel’s seating capacity was increased to accommodate a growing congregation. The final phase of the development of the old chapel took place in 1847, when the worship area was extended backwards and a new schoolroom added. In the same year, the former Sevenoaks Circuit was divided, and a new circuit formed with Tunbridge Wells at its head.
In 1872, the old chapel on the Vale Royal site was demolished, with the loss too of the four large poplar trees in front, reputed to have been among the finest of their kind in Kent.
The foundation stones of the structure we see today were laid on 20th May. The architect was Charles Bell of London, and the builders the local firm of Willicombe and Oakley. During the period of its construction, the congregation met in the Great Hall, Mount Pleasant (still surviving opposite the station). The work was completed with remarkable speed, at a cost of £5000, and the new church was opened on 2nd June 1873.
In 1980, it was decided that the future of the Methodist Church in Tunbridge Wells and the Circuit would best be served by a complete refurbishment of the Vale Royal premises. In April of the following year, a scheme for this had been drawn up and a final decision to go ahead was taken by the church as a whole. Work on the redevelopment of Vale Royal began in January 1982: the present vestibule, and the canopy at the front of the church were added at this time. While work was in progress, the congregation worshipped in the hall of King Charles’ Church. The church was reopened for worship on 1st September 1982.
The above co ordinates take you to the church where you will find the answer to one of the following questions:
Which day in June 1703 was he born? – ab
How many siblings for him did his mother give birth to? c d
He was ordained a deacon in the Church of England in 172* - e
His first recorded visit to Tunbridge Wells was in 17*2 – f
He married Molly Vazeille in which month of 1751 ?- g
Which day in March did he die? h
How old was he when he died? – i j
How old was Maria Bretherton when she died? k l
Use your answers to find the solution :
N51 ( i - d ) ( a + f ) ( d –h ) ( e + a ) ( f + g)
E000 (b + d) ( a + c + l ) ( k + a ) ( j + c )
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