Nominal: 575.5 Hz Weight: 3133 lbs Diameter: 54.88" Bell 1 of 9
Founded by Llewellins & James 1894
Dove Bell ID: 1056 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Bristol: St Thomas
Overview
Grid reference: ST 591 727
Late 18th Century in origin. The church was restored in 1896 by H. Roumieu Gough. The tower appears to be 15th century.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, nave with aisles, north and south vestibules flanking the sanctuary, western vestibule between tower and nave.
Description of Archaeology and History
Late 18th Century in origin. The church was restored in 1896 by H. Roumieu Gough. The tower appears to be 15th century.
Exterior Description
The tower is a handsome three-storey structure, basically to 15th century in date, which stands to the north west of the 18th century church. There is no means of telling, simply by looking at the structure itself, whether the previous church stood in a different relationship, e.g. with the nave centred on the tower, but it is said that the present nave is built on the old fountations of 1199. The tower has clasping buttresses (in fact three elements round a central core) rising the full height, and in the south-west angle is all stair-turret terminating in a panelled octagonal turret with a stone spirelet. In the west elevation is a three-light Perpendicular window at ground stage, a two-light window in the stage above, and then a similar two-light opening in the four elevations at belfry level. There is a pierced arcaded parapet within which, at the angles, are crocketted pinnacles (replaced in 1897).
The aisle walls have one round-headed window in each bay, and (though normally invisible from the round) there is a parallel sequence of segmental headed clerestory windows. The west end of the church is rather domestic in appearance, the vestibule and its southern annexe looking externally like a small house. The east and west ends of the body of the church have shallow pedinents with curving side-wings. While the other three elevations are rendered, that at the east is faced with a finely-jointed ashlar wrapped round the sanctuary like a screen.
The key motif of the east facade is the Venetian one of a round arched opening between two straight-topped openings. In this case the openings are all blank, those at the side being defined by Ionic pilasters.
Over the central element in the composition is a carved stone festoon, typical of the late 18th century, and within the round-archer motif is now a rather heavy-handed circular window inserted in 1879 to replace a semi-circular light.
The flanking vestibulus are of differing designs, that on the south quite grand with a pedimented doorway on Ionic pilasters framing a round-arched opening. The north vestibule in fact forms the clergy vestry, entered from the alley on the north side of the church, and thus has no opening whatsoever on the east front.
Building Materials
Bath Stone
14th Century
Bath Stone
Dundry Stone
14th Century
Dundry Stone
Slate
14th Century
Slate
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is spacious, reminiscent of one of the great Florentine basilicas. The five-bay arcades rest on square pillars, and there is an extra bay at the east for the sanctuary with the additional enrichments of Ionic pilasters and a lightly coffered ceiling. The central vessel is barrel-vaulted, and the side aisles have flat panelled ceilings. A bold cornice runs below the clerestory windows, which break into the ceiling in a mildly baroque manner, and a winged cherub's head punctuates each bay.
The church was clearly not intended to have side galleries, but there is a steeply raked gallery at the west. The east bay on the north site now contains the organ and the corresponding bay on the south is enclosed to form a chapel, but now used as a choir-vestry.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Late 19th Century
The chief communion table is late nineteenth-century, in the classical style.
Altar
17th Century
The south chapel Communion table.
Reredos
1716
Reredos behind main high altar, moved from the old church, where it was erected in 1716 of Flemish oak. It consists of three panels divided by Corinthian columns and pilasters. Over the centre panel is a pediment, within which is a pelican in its piety.
Pulpit
18th Century
Hexagonal. 18th century, an uncommon use of oak and walnut with volutes at the corners.
Lectern
1878
18th Century mahogany pedestal font on a pillar-like stem, shallow flute lead-lined bowl. Converted into a lectern in 1878.
Font (object)
Late 19th Century
Probably contemporary with the bulk of the chancel woodwork, i.e. late 19th century and classical in style. Although unfashionable it is far from being without merit. The circular bowl is supported on small square Corinthian columns.
Organ (object)
1728-9
The Organ was built by John Harris in 1728-9, and the main case facing the chancel (of "finest Dutch oak") is of a rare West Country type with a tri-partite central tower under a segmental pediment.
Bells
Nominal: 1179.5 Hz Weight: 939 lbs Diameter: 33.11" Bell 2 of 9
Founded by Thomas I Bilbie 1756
Dove Bell ID: 13194 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1107.5 Hz Weight: 985 lbs Diameter: 33.89" Bell 3 of 9
Founded by Thomas I Bilbie 1756
Dove Bell ID: 13195 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 954 Hz Weight: 1064 lbs Diameter: 36.73" Bell 4 of 9
Founded by Thomas I Bilbie 1743
Dove Bell ID: 13196 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 855 Hz Weight: 1199 lbs Diameter: 38.5" Bell 5 of 9
Founded by Roger I Purdue 1627
Dove Bell ID: 13197 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 773.5 Hz Weight: 1424 lbs Diameter: 42.64" Bell 6 of 9
Founded by John Gosselin
Dove Bell ID: 13198 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 720.5 Hz Weight: 1924 lbs Diameter: 44.17" Bell 7 of 9
Founded by Richard Thomas(formerly 'RT')
Dove Bell ID: 13199 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 638 Hz Weight: 2147 lbs Diameter: 48.5" Bell 8 of 9
Founded by Roger II Purdue 1666
Dove Bell ID: 13200 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1919.5 Hz Weight: 168 lbs Diameter: 18" Bell 9 of 9
Founded by Thomas I Bilbie 1764
Dove Bell ID: 13201 Tower ID: 12039 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 591 727
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
Submit a change
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