St Martin's Church, Dorking Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St Martin's Church
Church of St Martin of Tours, Dorking
view from the south
St Martin's Church Location in Surrey
51°13′58″N 0°19′56″W / 51.2328°N 0.3322°W / 51.2328; -0.3322
OS grid reference	TQ1654049499
Location	Dorking, Surrey
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Anglican
Website	StMartinDorking.org
History
Status	Active
Dedication	St Martin of Tours
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Architect(s)	Henry Woodyer
Style	Gothic
Administration
Deanery	Dorking
Archdeaconry	Dorking
Diocese	Guildford
Province	Canterbury

St Martin's Church is an Anglican church located in Dorking, Surrey, England. It is a very old and important building, with some parts dating back to the Middle Ages. The church is a central place of worship for the local community. It was updated and redesigned by an architect named Henry Woodyer.

What is the History of St Martin's Church?
- How Old is the Church?
- What Happened in the 1800s?
How Does the Church Serve the Community?
- Sharing the Church Building
- Working with the Local School
Images for kids
See also

What is the History of St Martin's Church?

How Old is the Church?

The history of St Martin's Church goes back a long way. In a very old book from 1086 called the Domesday Book, a church in Dorking was already mentioned. The church you see today was first built in the 1100s. It was likely built to replace an even older church that stood there before.

In the 1300s, the church was made bigger. For some time in the 1600s, it was even used as a school!

What Happened in the 1800s?

The 1800s were a busy time for St Martin's Church. Many big changes and repairs happened then.

Between 1835 and 1837, the main part of the church, called the nave, was rebuilt.
From 1866 to 1868, the chancel (the area near the altar) was also rebuilt.
In 1872, the nave and aisles (the side passages) were fixed up again. This work was led by the architect Henry Woodyer.

A tall new tower and a spire were added between 1873 and 1877. The spire reaches 210 feet high! The church bells, which were first bought in 1626, were then moved into this new bell tower. Later, in 1912, the lady chapel (a special part of the church) was made larger.

How Does the Church Serve the Community?

Sharing the Church Building

St Martin's Church is special because it shares its building with the local Methodist community. In 1973, the Methodist church in Dorking closed down. An agreement was made so they could use St Martin's Church for their services.

Later, in 1976, another agreement was reached. This allowed both the Anglican and Methodist groups to use the nearby Christian Centre as a church hall.

Working with the Local School

The church has a strong connection with St Martin's Church of England Primary School. The school's values say that they are a "Church School." They aim to build strong family values. They also encourage everyone to be tolerant and respectful of their diverse community.