Weight: 1286 lbs Diameter: 39.5" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1897
Dove Bell ID: 51615 Tower ID: 18713 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Tunbridge Wells: St Mark (Broadwater Down)
Diocese of Rochester
Church, 631283
https://www.stmarkschurch.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: TQ 582 379
St Mark’s Church was designed and built between 1864 and 1866 at the expense of the Earl of Abergavenny to the designs of the architect R L Roumieu. The build of the church coincided with the development of the Broadwater Down area, where large individual houses were built. The initial church consisted of a North-Western Tower with Porch under, Nave with Aisles, Western Baptistery, Chancel with three sided Apse, Vestry, Organ Chamber, North and South Transepts, and a Choir Vestry. The Baptistery was added in 1903, and church hall accommodation was appended to the south in 1968 to the designs of the architect J J Aylward. The church sits in the middle of its rectangular church yard, observing the same building lines as its residential neighbours. The church yard is demarcated by low sandstone wall with gates at the south east and north west. The main elevation of the church is to the north, facing a road called Broadwater Down.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 225 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
St Mark’s Church was designed and built between 1864 and 1866 at the expense of the Earl of Abergavenny to the designs of the architect R L Roumieu. The build of the church coincided with the development of the Broadwater Down area, where large individual houses were built.
Exterior Description
The initial church consisted of a North-Western Tower with Porch under, Nave with Aisles, Western Baptistery, Chancel with three sided Apse, Vestry, Organ Chamber, North and South Transepts, and a Choir Vestry. The Baptistery was added in 1903, and church hall accommodation was appended to the south in 1968 to the designs of the architect J J Aylward.
The church is substantial, constructed externally of Kentish Ragstone with dressings in Wealden Sandstone and Bath Stone. Internally, dressings are in Wealden Sandstone. Roofs are in slate with polychromatic pattering in stripes and diapers, a rare survival. The exterior of the church is a busy composition of complex, highly varied and intricate detailing. This was common in the architecture of the 1860s when client and architects alike aspired to employ novel and interesting detailing in their building.
Interior
Interior Description
The rich ornamentation continues into the interior with two toned (cream and yellow) voussoirs in the 5 arcade arches and finely carved foliate capitals to the arcade columns. The sanctuary is lavishly treated, with marble columns to support the tall chancel arch. The Chancel roof is held up by curved timber rafters, converging at a central point. The ceiling lining between the rafters as well as the 2 spandrels are decorated with delicate floral motifs. A tripartite stone reredos with dark marble columns occupies the eastern face of the Chancel apse, flanked by painted scenes (Entry to Jerusalem and the Road to Calvary) and texts of the Lord’s Prayer, Creed and Ten Commandments on alabaster. The dado is tiled. Both the pulpit and font are richly carved ornate fixtures, sitting on marble shafts. The blue dado tiling on the Baptistery walls is striking. In contrast, the seating in the body of the church and Chancel is rather plain, made from softwood.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 582 379
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.
It is unknown whether 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
Sources
Quinquennial Inspections
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