History

Until August 2004 St Philip's church was part of the largest parish in the Rochester Diocese that of St James with St Philip, Tunbridge Wells. In 1964 the Parish of St James, Tunbridge Wells had the vision to set up a church plant, initially in the home of the Church Curate, and then, as the church grew, it transferred to the school on what was then the new housing estate of Sherwood.

The church plant flourished and in October 1971 the foundations were laid for a purpose built church on Birken Road, the church opened its doors on 24 May 1972. At this stage the church was known as St James' Church Centre, Sherwood.The new church was run as a daughter church and was staffed by a Priest-in-Charge, normally a second posting for a curate, under the Parish Rector.

However it was realised the church needed to form its own identity and the first step was to formally have the church renamed 'St Philip the Evangelist' in October 1981. Between 1985 and 1987 the SPACE Project - (St. Philips Action to Care for Everyone) saw extension to the church including the Day Centre, Kitchen, Chapel, offices, meeting rooms and toilets.

As the identity of the church developed the status of the church was changed in 1997 when St Philip's church became a Team ministry with St James and the Parish of St James with St Philip's created. The Team ministry was led by a Team Rector, based at St James, with a Team Vicar based at St Philip's.

The church continued to develop and in April 2004 St Philips formally set up a Ministry Leadership Team and on 1st August 2004 separate parishes of St Philip and St James were created.

The stained glass window in the chapel is by Judy Hill. In the window God's Grace radiates from the Cross of Jesus into Creation in the fire of the Spirit and the water of Baptism.

Ministers of St Philip's:


Priests in Charge:
  • Rev Godfrey Taylor (1964 - 1967?)
  • Rev Hugh Craft (1967 - 1970?)
  • Rev Brian Cave (1970 - 1972?)
  • Rev Alan Kemp (1972 - 1975?)
  • Rev Clifford Goble (1975 - 1979)
  • Rev Canon Reg Bartle (1980 - 1983)
  • Rev Stuart Dyas (1983 - 1991?)
  • Rev David Abbott (1991 - 1997)

Team Vicar:
  • Rev Brian Senior (1998 - 2004)

Vicar:
  • Rev Brian Senior (2004 to present)