Trinity Theatre facts for kids
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Trinity Theatre
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 Trinity Theatre
Location in Kent
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| Address | Church Road Tunbridge Wells England |
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| Coordinates | 51°07′58″N 0°15′44″E / 51.132838°N 0.262207°E |
| Owner | Diocese of Rochester |
| Operator | Trinity Theatre |
| Type | Provincial |
| Capacity | 279 |
| Current use | Theatre, Arts centre |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1829 |
| Reopened | 1982 |
| Years active | 1982-present |
| Architect | Decimus Burton |
| Tenants | |
| Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society | |
| Website | |
| http://www.trinitytheatre.net | |
Trinity Theatre is a cool place in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. It's a theatre and an arts centre. What's special is that it used to be a church! It was once called Holy Trinity Church.
Contents
From Church to Theatre: A New Beginning
Holy Trinity Church: 1829–1972
Long ago, Tunbridge Wells was a growing spa town. It needed more churches. In 1818, a group called the Church Commissioners started a fund. This fund helped build new churches in busy towns. People in Tunbridge Wells decided to ask for help from this fund.
A special fund was started by Lord Abergavenny. It raised over £10,000 to build the church. A famous architect named Decimus Burton designed the building. He also designed other buildings in the area. He chose a popular style called Gothic Revival architecture.
The church was built using local sandstone. The first stone was placed on August 17, 1827. A builder named Mr. Barrett from Tunbridge Wells constructed it. The church was finished and ready in September 1829. It cost about £12,000 to build and furnish.
Over time, many churches were built in Tunbridge Wells. After World War II, fewer people went to church. Many churches also needed big repairs. Holy Trinity Church was the largest, so it was decided to close it. The last church service was held there in 1972.
Empty Years: 1973-1981
In 1974, the Church Commissioners said Holy Trinity was "no longer needed." This meant it could be torn down. New houses or offices might have been built there. But the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society started a petition. They asked to save the building.
The commissioners then gave the society one year. They had to find a good public use for the old church. In 1976, a plan was approved. The idea was to turn the building into a community theatre and arts centre. The society raised £50,000 in just six months! This allowed them to get a long-term lease from the Diocese of Rochester in January 1977.
Trinity Theatre: 1982-Present
Many groups helped turn the church into a theatre. These included Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent County Council, and Arts Council England. Over five years, the inside of the building was fixed. They repaired damaged stone and other issues. The building was transformed into a theatre with 350 seats.
Later, more money was given to the theatre. This allowed them to add a cafeteria and a public bar. They also updated other areas for art shows and local art classes. In March 1996, the National Lottery gave £600,000. This money helped add a computer ticket office, new seats, and a ramp for wheelchair users.
Trinity Theatre has been open for over 40 years now. It has worked with many famous performers and groups. It has also hosted international shows, films, and art displays. More than 90,000 people visit each year. Trinity Theatre is known as one of the best arts places in the South East of England.
Tunbridge Wells Theatre Club
This club started in 1946 as the Tunbridge Wells Drama Club. When the church became available in 1977, the club helped a lot. They were key to bringing the building back to life. After the theatre opened in 1982, the club changed its name. It became the Trinity Theatre Club. Today, it is a very active amateur theatre club. They put on three plays every year.
See also
