Winchester: St Thomas
Overview
Grid reference: SU 478 293
St.Thomas church, Winchester, is a scholarly and ambitious essay in the Gothic Revival by an excellent, though little- known, architect (other buildings by Elmslie include the Station at Great Malvern, 1860-1 , and Lloyd's Bank, Worcester). The present church dedicated to St. Thomas replaced a church dating from the 12th century, not on the same site but in St. Thomas's Street ; plate and monuments survive from the earlier building.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Four-bay nave with north and south aisles; chancel with north and south chapels; vestry, north transept, tower and spire over south transept.
Description of Archaeology and History
Main part of the church built 1845-6. Spire completed in 1857.
Exterior Description
St.Thomas church, Winchester, is a scholarly and ambitious essay in the Gothic Revival by a little-known architect (other buildings by Elmslie include the Station at Great Malvern, 1860-1, and Lloyd's Bank, Worcester). The present church dedicated to St. Thomas replaced a church dating from the 12th century, not on the same site but in St. Thomas's Street; plate and monuments survive from the earlier building. The church has a three-gabled front to the street, a symmetrical arrangement in which the two side chapels flank the taller gable of the chancel. Between chancel and aisle, on each side, is a conically-capped turret. The material is ragstone, with dressed stone for quoins, window surrounds and carved details. Behind this symmetrical facade rises the tower and spire, an impressive composition. The belfry-stage has four richly ornamented openings and the stage below is enlivened by an open arcade. The spire itself has crocketed pinnacles at the four corners and, slightly higher, lucarnes in the intervening faces of the spire. The pinnacles, and the spire itself, are ornamented with lively carvings of grotesque beasts and the springing of the spire is borne up by winged angels. In addition to its sculptural character the spire is a valuable land mark in the town, visible in all sorts of distant and unexpected places and in some measure making up for the lowness of the cathedral tower.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
The south chapel contains stained glass by Powell: of 1858 (designed by Lyon) and 1861 (designed by Moberly).
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is wide and spacious, though with no special features of architectural interest. Nave piers have stiff-leaf carving on capitals .
Fixtures and fittings
Pulpit
Highly carved stone
Font (object)
Carved stone
Organ (object)
1756
A moderate sized three-manual with over 200 years of history behind it was presented to St.Maurice's church in 1756 by the Earl of Canarvon and contains two or three stops which are probably the work of "Father" Smith; the bulk of it, however, dates from Messrs.J.W.Walker's best period ( 1885), supplemented by later additions.
Lectern
1897
The Lectern commemorates the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 478 293
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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