St Paul’s Church #10

The installation of the new reredos in 1869 was not without controversy. Previously, the altar had been backed by tablets of the Ten Commandments, in line with church regulations dating back many centuries. While many among the new generation of churchgoers felt this practice was outdated, the old guard were more reluctant to lose the custom. In 1871, the Rev. Thomas Jennings Bramly of Nevill Park began a letter-writing campaign to Archbishop Tait, demanding that the reredos be removed. In his opinion, the figures featured in the reredos had been carved in complete relief and therefore constituted ‘images’, which were illegal.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #9

In 1869, nearly 20 years after the church’s consecration, a church warden and benefactor called John Stone-Wigg presented St Paul’s with an elaborately carved reredos. Designed by John Norton (who also designed the earlier organ chamber and new vestry accommodation), the reredos was carved by William Farmer of Westminster Bridge Road in London.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #8

Tunbridge Wells-based artist Charles Tattershall Dodd painted an impressive watercolour depicting the interior of the church prior to consecration in July 1850. Today, the painting hangs in the south side of the nave.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #7

By 1912, the growing Church had to expand its vestry accommodation yet again. This time, the work was carried out by Philip Appleby Robson (1871-1951), and included improved heating, lighting and ventilation. At the time, Robson also oversaw some significant renovations to the church, such as the demolition of the original south porch and the relocation of some existing windows. The church reopened for worship in 1913.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #6

In 1875, Westminster-based John Norton (1828-1904) designed a new organ chamber and extra vestry accommodation. Norton was a pupil of the renowned early Gothic Revival architect, Benjamin Ferrey.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #5

In 1864, the Church appealed for more funds to accommodate a growing congregation from the new mansions that had sprung up in Nevill Park, Hungershall Park and Mount Ephraim, together with the new cottages in Denny Bottom and Rusthall New Town. Henry Isaac Stevens, the architect, catered for the influx of new churchgoers by constructing the north aisle, and extending the north transept.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #4

St Paul’s was built from the plentiful supplies of local sandstone, the source of which is described as “Mr Powell’s quarry”. Building costs amounted to £5,200 – a staggering sum in the late 1800s. This included a payment of £190 to Lord Abergavenny for the use of his land, although this amount was more than covered by the Earl’s generous donations to the overall costs.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #3

The architect behind the church’s striking design was Derby-based Henry Isaac Stevens (1807-1873). However, it’s thought that his architect brother, Nehemiah Edwards Stevens, who lived in Tunbridge Wells, may have had a hand in passing him the commission.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #2

Constructed on the edge of the Common, the site of St Paul’s was part of the Nevill Park estate, started by the Earl of Abergavenny in 1833.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at St Paul’s Church.

St Paul’s Church #1

St Paul’s Church has to be one of the most-photographed – and best-loved – landmarks in Rusthall. Here’s the first of a series of postcards celebrating this magnificent building.

Consecrated on 14th August 1850 by John Bird Sumner, Archbishop of Canterbury, St Paul’s was built as a daughter church to the parish of Speldhurst.

Read more about the church at www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk , or check back for more facts with the next St Paul’s postcard.

With thanks and credits to Geoffrey Copus at the St Paul’s Church website.