History Of the Church.
There has been Methodism in Tunbridge Wells since 1762 when John Wesley, the
founder of Methodist come to Tunbridge Wells. At this time Tunbridge Wells
was in the circuit of Lewis but in 1810, Tunbridge Wells was transferred to the
Sevenoaks circuit. The first Methodist chapel in Tunbridge Wells was built
in 1812 costing over £2000, it was open on 24th June. The congregation was only made up of 12 members at that time. In 1818 there was no resident minister but
this changed in 1819. Before 1819, the circuit only had two ministers both
based at Sevenoaks.
The first Methodist Chapel in Tunbridge Wells
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In 1821 and 1839 the church added rooms for Sunday School and other
organization. However in 1840 the chapel was too small for the
congregation, it was made bigger and in 1847 the final development of the
chapel took place as the worship area was extended back. In 1847 the
Sevenoaks circuit split and Tunbridge Wells became the head of the new circuit.
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The Wesleyan chapel on the site of the current Vale Royal.
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In 1857, there were two
Methodist chapels in Tunbridge Wells, The Primitive
Methodists and the Wesleyan Methodist. In 1872 the old chapel at Vale
royal was demolished and the church still there today was erected, costing £5000
and the new church was opened in 1873.
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The current Vale Royal.
| In 1932 the Camden Chapel was brought into the
circuit of Vale Royal.
However it wasn't until 1981 that the two churches were united. Vale
Royal was redeveloped and it reopened on 1st September 1982.
To find out more about Methodism visit the other Vale
Royal Site.
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Here's a Complete list, from 1847 to present day of the Ministers of Vale Royal.
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Organizations in the church.
In the church we have lots of different organization. From the Prayer
Fellowships to Drama groups. As well people using the church for religious
meetings we have Badminton, Cubs and Guilds using our sites. The
Regular Program is always busy with different clubs going on.
The church has a choir and Sunrise,
a group of worshippers who lead hymns and the Circuit Players, the circuit drama
group. Like many Methodist churches, Vale Royal have a Wesley
Guild.The church has a regular magazine called The
Vine for itself and St. John's Methodist Church. Vale Royal is now having mid-week
services.
The church can arrange Funerals, Weddings and Christenings.
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