Nominal: 746 Hz Weight: 1575 lbs Diameter: 41.88" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1911
Dove Bell ID: 2334 Tower ID: 11957 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Edenbridge: St Peter & St Paul
Diocese of Rochester
Church, 631228
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 444 461
The church is within the Tonbridge Archdeaconry and situated near the centre of the small town parish of Edenbridge, at the western edge of the County of Kent, and is dedicated to Ss Peter and Paul. Documentary evidence (Textus Roffensis) records that the church existed in 1120 AD and may have replaced an earlier Saxon church. The church growth was linked to the prosperity of the town with building occurring during the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Much restoration and repair work was carried out in the later 19th century followed by a series of major repairs in the early 20th century, documented by Rev’d. G.M. Livett.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
The main body of the church measures approximately 30 m x 16.2/14.0m width excluding the tower, which is an additional 5.6m x 8.4m width ‘footprint’ at the west end, including the external boiler room lean-to extension.
Footprint of Church buildings: 622 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
G M Livett records a Roman sherd found within the area. A stone coffin with ‘marble’ lid was found under the nave floor in 1860. Other architectural fragments have been set in the side walls of the south porch. Rare remains of an early Norman church in the Weald, ie a blocked-in small Norman window, is seen externally on the north wall, west end.
The church growth was linked to the prosperity of the town with building occurring during the 12th , 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Much restoration and repair work was carried out in the later 19th century followed by a series of major repairs in the early 20th century, documented by Rev’d. G.M. Livett. The architects’ names for all these works are unknown to the parish. A ‘clergy vestry’ extension including toilet and kitchenette facilities (designed by Leslie J Fox, architect and church warden) was built on the north side in the 1970s. The Martyn Chapel east window is to a design by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, installed in the early 20th century.
The roof was strengthened over the Nave in 2000/1, by the addition of stainless steel flitch plates to the oak beams between some of the north and south Aisles connections over the arcadian wall and other works to support the trusses over it. In 2008/2009 total refurbishment of the choir vestry was undertaken to accommodate the installation of a new disabled access toilet, enhanced storage for the choir and the addition of enclosed areas for the flower guild and the hand bell ringers.
Extensive repairs to the roof Valley between the Chancel and the Martyn Chapel were undertaken in 2011 to replace the wooden wall plate and rafter ends following infestation of Death Watch Beetle.
Restoration and automation of the Tower Clock in November 2015.
Restoration to the external stonework of the Church building was undertaken in June, July and August 2017.
Redecoration of the internal walls and ceiling were carried out in 2020.
Exterior Description
The main building material was the local Tunbridge Wells sandstone. Many early dressings were however in Reigate stone. The south side, south facing roofs are covered by Horsham slab as is a small lower section on the north side, the remainder being tiled. The main roof and spire shingles were all re-laid in 1985 with the help of an English Heritage grant, and exposed timbers treated for woodworm. Restoration work has used much Bath stone. Some medieval tiles have been re-laid in the Martyn Chapel and tower. The oldest part of the church is the north half consisting of the 13th century chancel (east end) and nave (west end). The south half, consisting of the Martyn Chapel (east end) and the south aisle and baptistry area (west end), were added later in the 13th century. The north and south sides are separated by an Arcadian wall with gothic arches supported by both octagonal and half round stone columns. The early 14th century tower structure is attached to the north nave, west end and has an octagonal, tapered spire with chestnut shingles.
Interior
Interior Description
The main access is through the 18th century south porch, rebuilt in 1909, and through the 14th century south doorway. A circular staircase behind the pulpit in the nave dates from the 15th century and gave access to the rood-loft, now dismantled. Windows are described below under ‘Stained Glass’. There is a very fine exposed oak beam roof structure dating from a 15th century rebuild. The roof of the nave and south aisle is supported by octagonal crown posts with a series of carved corbels supporting the roof beams at their juncture with the walls, via oak braces and pendant posts.
The tower houses the choir vestry at ground floor and the bell-ringing chamber at first floor level. The tower also houses the clock, one of the oldest in the diocese, with a single hour hand and was manually wound daily, until auto-winding systems were installed in 2015.
Bells
Nominal: 1491 Hz Weight: 423 lbs Diameter: 25.25" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1911
Dove Bell ID: 19807 Tower ID: 11957 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1397 Hz Weight: 411 lbs Diameter: 25.56" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1911
Dove Bell ID: 19808 Tower ID: 11957 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1244 Hz Weight: 437 lbs Diameter: 27.13" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1911
Dove Bell ID: 19809 Tower ID: 11957 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1120 Hz Weight: 518 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1911
Dove Bell ID: 19810 Tower ID: 11957 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 993 Hz Weight: 641 lbs Diameter: 31.44" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1911
Dove Bell ID: 19811 Tower ID: 11957 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 933 Hz Weight: 759 lbs Diameter: 33.5" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1911
Dove Bell ID: 19812 Tower ID: 11957 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 836 Hz Weight: 1011 lbs Diameter: 36.94" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1911
Dove Bell ID: 19813 Tower ID: 11957 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 444 461
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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