St Paul's Church, Rusthall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Paul's Church |
|
|---|---|
| Church of St Paul | |
St Paul's Church
|
|
| 51°07′51″N 0°14′15″E / 51.1308°N 0.2376°E | |
| OS grid reference | TQ5666439217 |
| OS grid reference | TQ5666439217 |
| Location | Rusthall |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | parish church |
| Founder(s) | Earl of Abergavenny |
| Dedication | St Paul |
| Consecrated | 1849 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 7 June 1974 |
| Architect(s) | Henry Isaac Stevens |
| Architectural type | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1849 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Rusthall |
| Deanery | Tunbridge Wells |
| Diocese | Rochester |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Paul's Church is a special old church in Rusthall, Kent, England. It's part of the Church of England and is known as a parish church, which means it serves the local community. This church is also a "Grade II listed building", which means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
How St Paul's Church Was Built
St Paul's Church was built in 1849. It stands on the edge of Rusthall Common. A rich man named William Nevill, 4th Earl of Abergavenny had it built. It was part of his large Nevill Park Estate.
The church was designed by an architect named Henry Isaac Stevens. He was also working on another church nearby. Another architect, N. E. Stevens (no relation), helped with the design too. The money for the church came from Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge. He liked Henry Isaac Stevens' work and wanted to support him.
Church Style and Materials
The church was built in a style called Gothic Revival. This style was popular at the time. It copied the look of churches from the 13th century. The church has a cruciform shape, like a cross. It was built using local sandstone. It also has a flat-roofed tower and a bell tower.
How the Church Grew
The church was made bigger in 1865. An extra aisle was added, along with more pews (church benches). These new parts were connected to the main area, called the nave, by pointed arches.
In 1913, the church was expanded again. A porch, called a narthex, was added to the west side. This gave people a place to gather before entering the main church.
War Memorial
In 1922, a special war memorial was built outside St Paul's Church. It remembers the soldiers from Rusthall who died in the First World War. The war memorial and the wall it stands on are also "Grade II listed".
Protecting History
St Paul's Church still has many of its original features. This includes the font, which is a basin used for baptisms. Because of its historical importance, it became a Grade II listed building in 1974. This means it's a protected historical site.
Other Buildings Connected to the Church
When St Paul's Church was built, two school buildings were also made on the same land. These buildings were later changed into houses.
In 1887, Rusthall village was growing. So, a smaller church building was built in the middle of the village. This was a "chapel of ease". It was connected to St Paul's Church. This smaller church is now known as St Paul's Church Centre. It works as the parish hall for St Paul's Church. It's used for meetings and even some church services.
The Church Centre cost £1,000, which was paid for by Mr J. Stone-Wigg. It was designed by Henry Taylor. This simple building is made of brick and tile. It has tall, narrow windows called lancet windows. There's also a small bell tower, called a bell-cot, on the roof. The building was made bigger in 1908.
See also
