The Calverley Development 1825-1840

Building of the Calverley development began with the construction of the Holy Trinity Church, consecrated on 3rd September 1829.
In this picture the royal party rides past the church, circa in 1834. Church Road was in fact called Jordans Lane during this period. It was so called after Jordan House, which is located on the corner of London Road and Church Road.
Beyond the church you can see Dorset Villa, Dorset Place, Dorset House with their balconies (see: Map 1839).
Today these buildings have been replaced by two office blocks: Hanover Place and British Telecom's Telephone House.

To give you a better perspective of the role of Trinity Church played in the history of Tunbridge Wells, we thought you would like to read this extract from "Colbran's New Guide for Tunbridge Wells" published 1840 (Page 93 and 94):

The District Church

As the old chapel was found not to afford sufficient accommodation for the increased number of residents, and the great influx of visitors during the season; a meeting of the inhabitants was held on the 25th of August, 1824, to consider the necessity of erecting an additional place of warship in the principles of the established church. The Rev. Martin Benson presided, and in addition to a liberal subscription entered into, an application was made to the Commissioners for building churches, for their assistance in promoting this desirable object. This having been granted, and a suitable piece of ground purchased near the Calverley Property, the first stone was laid on the Duchess of Kent’s birthday, the 17th August 1827.
The building was completed in about two years, and on the 3rd. September 1829, it was consecrated, with the accustomed ceremonies, by the Bishop of Rochester, attended by Dr. Lushington, Chancellor of the Diocese; the Rev. W. L. Pope, who officiated for the Vicar of Tunbridge, the Rev. H. A. Woodgate, the Churchwardens, and the building Committee assisting on the occasion. The public were admitted by tickets, and the ceremony was attended by most of the respectable inhabitants.
The Church, called "Holy Trinity", is a handsome structure in the style of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and is seen to great advantage from many parts of the common. Decimus Burton, Esq. was the Architect, and Messrs. Barrett, of Tunbridge Wells, were the Builders. It cost upwards of £ 12,000., although the stone used in the building was procured from the Calverley quarry, in the immediate neighbourhood of the church. There is no endowment for the Clergyman, whose income is derived form the Pew Rents. The repairs, &c. of the church are paid from a Church Rate, levied as may be required. The Benefice is at present in the gift of the Rev. Sir Charles Hardinge, Bart. - afterwards the presentation will be in the hands of John Deacon, Esq., of Quarry Hill. There are about 1500 sittings, nearly one half of which are free. The present Incumbent if the Rev. I. N. Pearson. There is a house, called the Parsonage house, situated near the New Market, belonging to the Marquis of Bristol, which, it is said, this munificent nobleman has recently conveyed to the Church for the use of the Incumbent, and that it is about to undergo some extensive alterations.
The Clerk is Mr. J. B. Hasting, Priory Cottage, near the church, where Sittings may be obtained. Divine Service is performed on Sundays, at 11 in the morning, and at 1/2 past 3 in the afternoon, (in the winter at 3.) The Sacrament is administered on the third Sunday in the month. A Sunday School is established here for girls and boys, which is attended by nearly 150 scholars.

At the beginning of the 20th century

Next door but one in this photo is the Norfolk Hotel, which stood on Church Road between 1909 and 1959. The hotel and neighbouring building, have since been replaced by BT's Telephone House, an office block constructed in 1965.

Norfolk Hotel (1909 - 1959) was replaced by BT's Telephone House and BT's Telephone House (1965 - 2003) will be replaced by a high density development which pleases no-one - neither local councillors, residents nor the developers

The Church "Holy Trinity" is seen to great advantage from many parts of the Common

This postcard, printed in 1908 provides a panoramic view of the town from the "Gibraltar" end of the Common:
The Dutch-style houses - Belvedere Terrace - on the right in this picture remain, but have been converted into offices.
Sadly, this view in front of Trinity Church and to the church's right has changed radically for the worse since the 1960's. The Church is largely hidden by the Telephone House office structure, built in 1965.
And again - in 2003, after the demolition of Telephone House, CALA Homes miss the opportunity to re-instate the landmark, Trinity Church.

View from Mount Ephraim towards Telephone House - July 2002

View from Mount Ephraim towards Telephone House - after the demolition, February 2003 Will CALA Homes really miss the opportunity to re-instate the landmark ?