History of the Church
Rev. Christopher Ridley Pearson (pictured left) was nominated first Vicar of S. James's by the Rev. Edward Hoare (later Canon Hoare), Vicar of Holy Trinity. His fierce oppostion to the Tractarian Movement (also known as the 'High Church' or 'Anglo-Catholic' Movement) saw him labelled as 'the Protestant Pontiff of Tunbridge Wells!'
Hoare thought that Mr. Pearson was a 'safe pair of hands' to perpetuate his extreme Protestant views in the new parish. But to his dismay he found that both the teaching and ritual observed at S. James's gradually became more Catholic in character, a situation Hoare opposed with characteristic forcefulness.
During his time as Vicar of S. James's, Mr. Pearson grew concerned with the plight of his poorer parishioners, who in those class-conscious days, were reluctant to enter the doors of his church, dominated as it was by the well-to-do. In 1870 the Rev. Harry W. Hitchcock, a wealthy young priest who had recently moved to Sandrock Rd with his wife, came to the rescue. He volunteered to build a mission church for the poor at his own expense. In addition he offered to serve it as priest in an unpaid capacity. This was a somewhat unusual arrangement, but the offer was accepted. Fr. Hitchcock thus acquired part of the old quarry, which had later been used as the Municipal rubbish dump, and built there a modest church, dedicated in honour of S. Stephen, and designed by the eminent architect A. C. Blomfield.
S. Stephen's fully embraced the ideals of the Tractarian Movement and became a dramatic contrast to every Anglican church for miles around. An early photograph of the interior (pictured left) shows the altar with 18 candles on it- at a time when the presence of even two was viewed with deep suspicion - being considered too "Popish". This feeling was further exacerbated by the opening of an Orphanage in Stanley Rd, served by nuns from S. Margaret's Convent at East Grinstead - sending ripples of horror through thoroughly Protestant Tunbridge Wells.
Fr. Hitchcock was headstrong in the face of criticism. Before long his tactless espousal of the wearing of proper Eucharistic vestments, and alleged use of incense, further alienated the Vicar of S. James's. When Mr. Pearson's remonstrances failed, a Commission looked into affairs at S. Stephen's. Subsequently Fr. Hitchcock's Licence to Officate was removed and the mission church shut.
The controversy continued unabated, resulting in tremendous rows at the Easter Vestry meetings, gleefully reported in the local press. However, Mr. Pearson was not to be deflected, and S. Stephen's was soon re-opened. In 1876 the Rev. Henry Shrubb Iredell became curate in charge.
The High Altar and huge baldacchino over the font are the work of Milner and Craze (architects of the Holy House at Walsingham). Notable among the fittings are the statue of S. Barnabas and banner of Our Lady, both designed by the eminent Sir Ninian Comper.
The founding clergy of S. Barnabas' felt that due reverence should be paid to the dead. Therefore a beautiful mortuary chapel was provided to ensure that poor parishioners had somewhere to lay their dead, as local accomodation lacked adequate space in which to perform this duty. Arguably this chapel, with its stone vaulting, is the most distinguished part of the building, and is at present being restored to its former glory. The tradition of praying for the departed continues at S. Barnabas' to this day, as is reflected by its Patrons - 'the Guild of All Souls' and its faithful observance of a monthly requiem mass. (Held on the 3rd Saturday of each month).
Despite strenous and persistent oppostion from Canon Hoare, Mr. Pearson succesfully established the new parish of S. Barnabas' in 1881, with Mr. Iredell installed as first Vicar. S. Stephen's continued in use, and was extended twice. Until in 1887 S. Stephen's was demolished and the present S. Barnabas' church was erected. The ambitious project was undertaken by J.P. and J.E.K. Cutts. The original plan (pictured below) shows a tower with tall spire but- perhaps fortunately- this was not built., instead a large porch was erected in its place.
Building was on a large scale with no expense being spared. Its subsequent furnishings. always of highest quality, have added greatly to its beauty. The Chapel of S. Stephen stands on the site of the former Mission Church, and contains both altar and stained glass from the original building. The famous architect Martin Travers re-designed the reredos and other fittings at a later date. He also designed the reredos and tester in the Lady Chapel, a dazzling essay in Italianate style, completed in 1947.
Home
We are indebted to Geoff Copus, our resident historian, for the information on this page.