St Anselm's Church, Pembury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Anselm's Church |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 51°08′39″N 0°19′22″E / 51.1441°N 0.3227°E | |
| Location | Pembury, Kent |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Tradition | Anglican Use |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Anselm |
| Consecrated | 2011 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Completed | 1964 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Tunbridge Wells |
| Diocese | Archdiocese of Southwark |
| Division | Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham |
St Anselm's Church is a Catholic church located in Pembury, Kent, England. It is part of a special group called the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. The church started in the 1960s as a small worship space.
Over time, it became a place where Mass was held regularly. In 2011, it became its own "quasi-parish." This happened after many people from the Anglican faith in Royal Tunbridge Wells decided to join the Catholic Church.
How St Anselm's Church Began
St Anselm's Church was first built in 1964. It was meant to be a hall and chapel for a new Catholic church in Pembury and Paddock Wood. However, the main church stayed in Paddock Wood for a while.
In 1978, Pembury and Paddock Wood became one parish. The original plan for a church building in Pembury was changed. The house meant for the priest in Pembury was sold. This left Pembury without a Catholic place to worship.
To fix this, a small chapel was added to the hall in 1980. For many years, until 2011, this chapel was used as a "chapel-of-ease." This means it was a smaller church that helped out the main parish in Paddock Wood.
Becoming a Special Parish
In 2011, St Anselm's was given a new status by the Archbishop of Southwark. It became a "quasi-parish." This was because it joined the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. This group allows former members of the Church of England to become Catholic. They can still keep some of their Anglican traditions in their worship.
Most of the people who attend St Anselm's Church were once Anglicans. They came from St Barnabas' Church in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Their Anglican vicar also joined them and became the priest of St Anselm's.
Making the Church a Home
For its first three years, the church was quite simple. It did not have many special decorations or items used in worship. Services were held using a temporary altar on wheels. The church also shared its space with other community groups.
With money from its members and nearby Catholic churches, things changed. A permanent altar was installed. Special pictures showing the Stations of the Cross were added. Other church furnishings were also put in place.
Outside, a lychgate was built. This is a covered gateway often found at the entrance to a churchyard. These improvements meant the church could be used only for Christian worship.
