King Charles The Martyr Church, near to the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Built in 1676, the oldest plaster ceiling is by John Weatherell.
King Charles The Martyr Church was the first permanent building in Tunbridge Wells, built in 1676. Following the restoration of the monarchy with King Charles II on the throne. The church takes its name from King Charles I, who was beheaded in 1649. The church was originally less than half this size, being enlarged to accommodate more parishioners. The original plaster ceiling was by John Weatherell who had worked for Christopher Wren. When the church was enlarged to twice its size in 1688 the new ceiling was created by Henry Doogood, an even higher ranking plasterer of Wren's. The two balconies were created for the poorer in the congregation. Originally they were only accessible from doors outside the building, having no access to the ground floor at all. Princess Victoria (later to become Queen Victoria) visited the church at the age of 16. There is a brass plaque with her name shown on the balcony where she sat.
Size: 5504px × 8256px
Location: 3 Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TA
Photo credit: © Colin Walton / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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