St Martin's Church is an

Anglican Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...

Dorking Dorking () is a market town in Surrey in South East England, about south of London. It is in Mole Valley District and the council headquarters are to the east of the centre. The High Street runs roughly east–west, parallel to the Pipp Br ...

Surrey Surrey () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in South East England, bordering Greater London to the south west. Surrey has a large rural area, and several significant urban areas which form part of the Greater London Built-up Area. ...

. It is a Grade II* listed building and surviving parts of the structure date back to the Middle Ages. It in the archdeaconry of Dorking, in the

Diocese of Guildford __NOTOC__ The Diocese of Guildford is a Church of England diocese covering eight and half of the eleven districts in Surrey, much of north-east Hampshire and a parish in Greater London. The cathedral is Guildford Cathedral and the bishop is th ...

. The church is the main Anglican parish church in Dorking and was refurbished to the designs of

Henry Woodyer Henry Woodyer (1816–1896) was an English architect, a pupil of William Butterfield and a disciple of A. W. N. Pugin and the Ecclesiologists. Life Woodyer was born in Guildford, Surrey, England, in 1816, the son of a successful, highly resp ...

History

Early history

In the

Domesday Book Domesday Book () – the Middle English spelling of "Doomsday Book" – is a manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of King William I, known as William the Conqueror. The manusc ...

of 1086 there is a mention of a church in the Manor of Dorking. The present church was originally built in the twelfth century probably to replace the previous one. In the 14th century the church was extended and conveyed to the Priory of the Holy Cross in

Reigate Reigate ( ) is a town status in the United Kingdom, town in Surrey, England, around south of central London. The settlement is recorded in Domesday Book in 1086 as ''Cherchefelle'' and first appears with its modern name in the 1190s. The earlie ...

. It also served as a school house for parts of the 17th century.St Martin's Dorking
from Exploring Surrey's Past, retrieved 2 May 2013

19th century

In the 19th century, sizeable renovations were done to the church. Between 1835 and 1837 the nave was rebuilt. From 1866 to 1868, this was followed by the chancel being rebuilt. In 1872, the nave and aisles were restored again, this time under the direction of the architect

.St Martin Dorking
from Surrey Bell Ringers, retrieved 2 May 2013 From 1873 to 1877, a new tower and a spire (210 feet high) were added. The bells, which were acquired in 1626 were then rehung in the new bell tower. In 1912, work on extending the lady chapel was completed.

Parish

Church

The church is also shared with the local Methodist congregation. In 1973, the Methodist church in Dorking closed and an agreement was drawn up whereby they could share the church building. In 1976, another agreement was reached so that the nearby Christian Centre could be used by both congregations as a church hall.

School

The church has a close relationship with the nearby St Martin's Church of England Primary School. According to the school's ''Vision and Values'' it states that, 'We are a Church School and we will build on strong family values that encourage tolerance and respect for the whole of our richly diverse community.'
from St Martin's Primary School, retrieved 2 May 2013

Gallery

File:St_Martin's_Church,_Church_Street,_Dorking_(NHLE_Code_1028904)_(2).JPG, View from the south east File:St Martin's Church - geograph.org.uk - 200802.jpg, Church spire from the west File:St Martin's Font - geograph.org.uk - 1050234.jpg, Baptismal font File:Meadowbank Stadium Dorking Wanderers May 2021.jpg, Church spire behind Meadowbank Stadium

References

External links

St Martin's Parish website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Martin's Church, Dorking Dorking

Churches completed in 1877 Gothic Revival church buildings in England 1877 establishments in England Gothic Revival architecture in Surrey Diocese of Guildford