Archdeaconry of Tonbridge

Welcome to the Archdeaconry of Tonbridge which covers West Kent from Burham and Wouldham (just south of Rochester) westwards to beyond Westerham and Edenbridge, down to Tunbridge Wells and further south to Lamberhurst and Matfield, before coming eastward again through Yalding, Hunton, Coxheath and Barming on the western edge of Maidstone

There are over 100 churches in the Archdeaconry, some of which are in the commuter towns of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and many of which are in villages and smaller communities scattered across this, the most rural Archdeaconry in the Rochester Diocese.

Christian faith and worship have been here for a long time. The earliest domestic evidence for Christianity in Britain was found in a Roman villa in Lullingstone. Some of our churches have stories going back across a thousand years or more. Many churches also have very contemporary facilities so as to enable them to better fulfil their role in our current society. Some parts of the Archdeaconry are also settings for major housing developments, eg, Kings Hill, near West Malling, where there is a congregation, but no church building. There are many Church Schools in the Archdeaconry amidst the wider provision of education, both state and private; - these include the Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells.

The Archdeaconry area is also filled with historic buildings, eg, Chartwell, Hever Castle, Ightham Mote and Knole. It also has wide-ranging sporting and cultural activities and excellent road and rail communications, making it an attractive place for many in which to reside, whilst they commute to work in London or elsewhere.

The Archdeaconry is home to the Benedictine convent community at West Malling Abbey, the Pilsdon at Malling Community (which works with wayfarers and others recovering from addictions).

Who to contact:

Archdeacon of Tonbridge: The post of Archdeacon of Tonbridge is currently vacant following the consecration of the former Archdeacon, the Ven Julie Conalty, as the new Bishop of Birkenhead in the Diocese of Chester.

For matters which would have been addressed specifically to the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, please be in touch, as appropriate, with the Area Dean or with one of the other two Archdeacons as follows:

• Archdeacon Paul Wright  for the deaneries of Malling, Sevenoaks and Shoreham;
• Archdeacon Andy Wooding Jones  or the deaneries of Paddock Wood, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

Both archdeacons are supported by Fiona Porter who can best be contacted at fiona.porter@rochester.anglican.org

• If in doubt, please contact staff at Bishopscourt who, together with Fiona, will cover the work of the Archdeacon of Tonbridge’s office: bishopscourt@rochester.anglican.org. Staff at Bishopscourt will direct any enquiry to whoever is best able to respond.

Other useful information:

There are 6 Deaneries in the Archdeaconry:

Malling
Area Dean — The Revd Wil North
Email: revwilnorth@hotmail.co.uk

Paddock Wood

Area Dean — The Rev Andrew Axon
Email: revandrew@mail.com

Sevenoaks
Area Dean  — The Revd Michael Gentry
Email: areadeansevenoaks@gmail.com

Shoreham
Area Dean — The Rev Tim Hatwell
Email: revtim.hatwell@gmail.com

Tonbridge
Area Dean — Rev Dr Miriam Barker
Email: miriambarker@live.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells
Area Dean — Rev Douglas Wren
Email: douglas.wren12@gmail.com

The Archdeaconry Convenor for Self-Supporting Ministers: 
The Rev Sarah Partridge
Email: spartridge@partridges59.fsnet.co.uk

Warden of Lay Ministry: 
Karen Senior
Email: Karen.Senior@rochester.anglican.org

Deputy Wardens of Lay Ministry:

Mrs Hilary Sutton
Email: hilary.sutton1@btopenworld.com

Mr Allan Jonnes
Email: allan.jonnes@btinternet.com