Church Heritage Record 631228

The main body of the church measures approximately 30 m x 16.2/14.0m width excluding the tower, which is an additional 5.6m x 8.4m width ‘footprint’ at the west end, including the external boiler room lean-to extension.

G M Livett records a Roman sherd found within the area. A stone coffin with ‘marble’ lid was found under the nave floor in 1860. Other architectural fragments have been set in the side walls of the south porch. Rare remains of an early Norman church in the Weald, ie a blocked-in small Norman window, is seen externally on the north wall, west end.

The church growth was linked to the prosperity of the town with building occurring during the 12th , 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Much restoration and repair work was carried out in the later 19th century followed by a series of major repairs in the early 20th century, documented by Rev’d. G.M. Livett. The architects’ names for all these works are unknown to the parish. A ‘clergy vestry’ extension including toilet and kitchenette facilities (designed by Leslie J Fox, architect and church warden) was built on the north side in the 1970s. The Martyn Chapel east window is to a design by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, installed in the early 20th century. 

The roof was strengthened over the Nave in 2000/1, by the addition of stainless steel flitch plates to the oak beams between some of the north and south Aisles connections over the arcadian wall and other works to support the trusses over it. In 2008/2009 total refurbishment of the choir vestry was undertaken to accommodate the installation of a new disabled access toilet, enhanced storage for the choir and the addition of enclosed areas for the flower guild and the hand bell ringers.

Extensive repairs to the roof Valley between the Chancel and the Martyn Chapel were undertaken in 2011 to replace the wooden wall plate and rafter ends following infestation of Death Watch Beetle.

Restoration and automation of the Tower Clock in November 2015. 

Restoration to the external stonework of the Church building was undertaken in June, July and August 2017. 

Redecoration of the internal walls and ceiling were carried out in 2020.

The main building material was the local Tunbridge Wells sandstone. Many early dressings were however in Reigate stone. The south side, south facing roofs are covered by Horsham slab as is a small lower section on the north side, the remainder being tiled. The main roof and spire shingles were all re-laid in 1985 with the help of an English Heritage grant, and exposed timbers treated for woodworm. Restoration work has used much Bath stone. Some medieval tiles have been re-laid in the Martyn Chapel and tower. The oldest part of the church is the north half consisting of the 13th century chancel (east end) and nave (west end). The south half, consisting of the Martyn Chapel (east end) and the south aisle and baptistry area (west end), were added later in the 13th century. The north and south sides are separated by an Arcadian wall with gothic arches supported by both octagonal and half round stone columns. The early 14th century tower structure is attached to the north nave, west end and has an octagonal, tapered spire with chestnut shingles.

The main access is through the 18th century south porch, rebuilt in 1909, and through the 14th century south doorway. A circular staircase behind the pulpit in the nave dates from the 15th century and gave access to the rood-loft, now dismantled. Windows are described below under ‘Stained Glass’. There is a very fine exposed oak beam roof structure dating from a 15th century rebuild. The roof of the nave and south aisle is supported by octagonal crown posts with a series of carved corbels supporting the roof beams at their juncture with the walls, via oak braces and pendant posts.

The tower houses the choir vestry at ground floor and the bell-ringing chamber at first floor level. The tower also houses the clock, one of the oldest in the diocese, with a single hour hand and was manually wound daily, until auto-winding systems were installed in 2015.