Diameter: 17" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1926
Dove Bell ID: 60965 Tower ID: 24004 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Telford Park: St Thomas
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 297 730
St Thomas is red brick Edwardian building in Early English Gothic. The church is of great height and bulk which, with the use of simple repeated lancets, has a certain rhythm which is successful both internally and externally. The church was opened and dedicated in September 1901 but was not consecrated at the time due to the unpaid debt accrued in building. The north and south aisles were added in 1905 together with the baptistery at the west end.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisled nave, chancel, west baptistery, transepts, south porches, north organ chamber and south vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave and aisles approximately 35m x 21 m. Chancel approximately 13m x 10m.
Description of Archaeology and History
In 1885 a tin-built building was erected to serve the area of Telford Park. Around the turn of the century a site for a permanent building was obtained and work begun on St Thomas’ to designs by Sidney R J Smith and Spencer W Grant. The church was opened and dedicated in September 1901 but was not consecrated at the time due to the unpaid debt accrued in building. The north and south aisles were added in 1905 together with the baptistery at the west end. Financial support for these additions came from Emmanuel College, Cambridge who owned nearby land.
Some 20 years later the chancel, transepts, organ loft and vestry were added; Canon Clarke attributes this period to original architects Smith and Grant. On completion in 1927 the church was finally consecrated.
Exterior Description
St Thomas is red brick Edwardian building in Early English Gothic. The church is of great height and bulk which, with the use of simple repeated lancets, has a certain rhythm which is successful both internally and externally.
The nave roof is steeply pitched with a stepped gable at the east end where the chancel pitch is slightly lower in height. The nave is of five bays with the transept occupying the easternmost.
The south side of the building is the show side and the clearstorey is prominent in the four bays of the nave. Each bay has three equal pointed lancets spaced apart within a segmental arch which is only demarcated by a slight recess. The recess also exists on the bay where the transept joins the nave. The lancets sit on a stringcourse.
The south aisle below leans against the nave and has a porch projecting at the west end. The porch has a separate pitch, an arched doorway and diagonal buttresses. There are small lancet openings to the east and west walls. The aisle windows are as the clearstorey, three per bay (excepting the westernmost which has two before the porch) but without the detailing of the arch. Each bay is separated from the next by a robust plain buttress with a single wide offset. The west end of the aisle has an arched window of two lights with a trefoil above, all under a hood mould.
A vestry is positioned to the east of the transept, the pitch dying into the south wall of the chancel and facing to the east.
The west elevation of the church has a semi-circular apse at lower level. The apse has seven equal lancet windows and a conical roof set behind a low parapet. The windows are linked by a continuous hoodmould and above this there is a decorative band of stonework with simple squares of moulding.
The east elevation of the chancel is a shouldered gable. There are clasping buttresses to the east only which have pitched weatherings as seen on the transepts. The window is large and almost perpendicular in style. In the centre is a pointed arch with three equal cusped lancets and vertical tracery detailing above. Flanking this arch are single cusped lancets under pointed arches with minimal tracery details. All three arches are linked by a continuous hood mould.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1964
A single light of St George by H Warren Wilson 1964. Marking 50 years of scouting in the parish. 1911-1961
Stained Glass
1918
Three lights of St George, the Good Samaritan and St Stephen by W Aikman 1918. In memory of the Revd Charles Wand Mitchell honorary curate. 1917. Temporary chaplain to the forces and died from injuries gained in the firing line while tending the wounded.
Stained Glass
Two lights by W Aikman. WWI memorial particularly vivid colours. Soldiers, sailors and angels represented
Stained Glass
1907
In the baptistery. Seven single windows, 1907 by A L Moore. Given by children attending the afternoon service and other friends.
- Birth of Jesus
- Presentation in the Temple
- Shepherds present gifts to Jesus
- John the Baptist baptises Jesus
- Jesus as a boy in the Temple
- Jesus as a boy carpenter
- Jesus and children Suffer little children to come unto me
Stained Glass
In the north aisle, a single light of St Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. In memory of James Barr, organist 1934-1948
Stained Glass
1918
Three lights by W Aikman 1918. Knock and the door shall be opened. Jesus teaches Nicodemus. The Good Shepherd – Seek and ye shall find. Erected by the widow of John Newton died March 1918
Building Materials
Brick
Red brick laid in English Bond
Bath Stone
Some dressings
Welsh Slate
Roof
Clay
Clay ridge tiles on roof
Interior
Interior Description
The nave is an impressive and capacious space. The arcades of the nave are wide pointed arches on octagonal pink Mansfield stone piers. From each spandrel rises a thin pilaster column from which the roof timbers spring. A strong string course runs beneath the clearstorey giving a distinct feeling of progression up to the exposed timbers of the roof.
The fifth and easternmost bay of the nave translates to the transept on either side and is wider than the other bays of the arcades. The aisles have much lower arches linking each to its transept. Both aisles have been cleared of pews which contributes towards an open spacious feel.
The north aisle has a children’s corner at the west end with a wooden screen behind it creating a small storage area or porch around the doorway. A similar screen arrangement is found around the external door in the south transept.
The organ chamber has a tall arch to the transept which has been made into a small chapel and another to the chancel where the organ and pipes are set back within the chamber.
On the south side of the chancel there is a blind recessed arch and on the east side of this a low arched door to the vestry.
The transepts and the chancel have timber barrel vaulted roofs and the nave has exposed queen post trusses with curved braces.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Plain table
Reredos
Panelling around three sides of the sanctuary, linenfold detailing on the lower dado and plain panelling above. Framed central section holding a tapestry covered board but interchangeable. The panelling is aesthetically pleasing and surprisingly made of fibrous plaster moulded to imitate wood which works successfully from a distance.
Pulpit
Given in memory of Bertha Westbury died 1926. A slightly unusual piece, panels decorated with tracery detailing but standing on timber legs which are little more than small vertical boards.
Lectern
1902
Brass eagle lectern with circular base. Inscription around base recording the.. deep and practical interest in erection of Church by Henry Seeking Fitter 1902
Font (object)
1905
Octagonal bowl with stem of eight small marble columns around a central larger one. Given in 1905 by children of Sunday School who saved 15,984 pennies for its purchase. The panels have carved relief including images of fish, Noah’s Ark and IHS symbol. An inscription around the top reads One Baptism, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith.
Organ (object)
1901
Two manual pipe organ by Lewis & Co 1901.
Plaque recording that Electric Blower was given by Frank Lakeman Collins in loving memory of his wife Mina. Died April 12th 1936.
Rail
Very plain timber rail and uprights with minimal scroll decoration at the junctions. In memory of Willoughby Richard Knox Robinson Vicar 1922-1944. Died November 24th 1954.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 297 730
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Quinquennial Inspections
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