Weight: 96 lbs Diameter: 16" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1967
Dove Bell ID: 59973 Tower ID: 23466 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Somercotes: St Thomas
Overview
Grid reference: SK 423 538
St Thomas’ is a fine example of a medium-sized, late Victorian Gothic style, nave and transept church, of brick and stone. A crafted amalgam of new and old, the building contains nothing of the original Methodist chapel. Situated on Nottingham Road (B600), in upper Somercotes, it is a local landmark, and commands a graceful and reassuring presence in the village. The church is unusual in that the chancel is at the west end. The church is set back from the road, bounded by a stone wall of some 6 foot with a formal wrought-iron gated entrance which leads into a grassed and treed area of churchyard, no longer containing headstones. In front of the church on this side (east) is a simple white marble cross War Memorial erected in 1927. The entrance porch is situated on the south side of the church. Sloping down from the south side of the church is a small car park and the Village Hall (c. 1970s). The Hall is owned by the church, but is currently rented out to Somercotes Parish Council. On all other sides, the church is encompassed by the churchyard, tended by Amber Valley Borough Council; the bulk of it lies to the west of the church, comprising 1.565 acres. Burials ceased in 1965 but ashes can still be interred. The graves date back to the 1850s; most of the gravestones have been re-located to the south-west corner of the churchyard (some standing, some laid horizontally) though a few larger curbed graves remain in their original positions. This has created a tranquil area of grass, mature trees, shrubs and pathways, which provides a green oasis for people and wild life and a restful backdrop for the church itself. A monument to workers killed in an industrial accident at Pye Bridge in 1893 is at the rear of the churchyard and was renovated by the Parish Council in 2018.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Description of Archaeology and History
In 1849 a small Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built on Nottingham Road, where the Church of St Thomas now stands. In the early 1850s, the Methodists agreed to sell this chapel to the Church Wardens of Riddings for a sum of £400. The building was adapted for Anglican worship and a stone chancel added to the existing square brick-built chapel, which seated about 270 people. Dr Lonsdale, the Bishop of Lichfield, consecrated the church and dedicated it to St Thomas the Martyr, on 22nd July 1854. A stained-glass window was placed in the chancel to commemorate the event, financed by Thomas Hadden Oakes. Nothing of the original Methodist chapel remains.
By the 1890s the growth of Somercotes and increasing church membership made it apparent a new church was needed. An Endowment Fund was opened to make Somercotes a separate Ecclesiastical parish, which was achieved in 1898. Funds were then raised for the rebuilding of the church, a substantial amount of money being donated by Sir Charles Seely and James Oakes, as well as the fundraising efforts of the parishioners. Plans were submitted by the Diocesan Architect, Mr. Percy H. Currey, of Derby, and approved in August 1901. The rebuilding of the church commenced under the contractors Messrs Ford and Co. of Derby.
The old brick nave was removed and replaced by a stone nave with north and south aisles to which porches, choir and clergy vestries were added. The final cost was £3912, and the church was consecrated by Dr Ridding, Lord Bishop of Southwell, on 15th October 1902.
On the night of the 30th January 1980, the church was devastated by a fire that gutted the roof and destroyed the organ. The damage was estimated at £200,000. It is ironic that the year prior to the fire the congregation had raised £10,000 to install new lighting and heating. The main aim of the refurbishment was for fire prevention. The Church finally re-opened at Easter in 1981.
During the rebuilding work the font was moved from the back of the church to its current position. A glass screen was erected across the back of the church to form a foyer and a new sacristy was constructed in part of the north aisle. A new organ, by J.J. Binns, was installed by Woods of Huddersfield, and dedicated on 4th March 1983.
Building Materials
Sandstone
1854
Sandstone
Interior
Interior Description
The main door leads into a 20th century narthex, with a false low ceiling, separated from the main body of the church by a screen of wood and glass, with glass doors into the nave. At the far end of the narthex is the sacristy, in practice a corner of the nave partitioned off by wooden screens, but without a ceiling; this houses a fine stained-glass window depicting St Phoebe.
The main ceiling of the church consists of exposed timber trusses with purlins and intermediate trusses, and white plaster work; the two lower aisles are similarly constructed. The walls, pillars and arches are of local Coxbench stone, with dressings of red stone, some of which is rendered. The floor of the nave is of herringbone hardwood block; a carpet runs down the main aisle and continues into the chancel. The church has comfortable modern chaired seating, set in four sections, up to the crossing and transept.
The left-hand aisle (geographical south, ecclesiastical north) is fore-shortened, owing to the presence of the organ; at the side of the organ there is a small altar on a dais, creating a Lady Chapel. At the end of the right-hand aisle (geographical north, ecclesiastical south) is a small side chapel, the Resurrection Chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. The font is 20th Century, made of carved white sandstone, possibly Mansfield white. The pulpit is a well-crafted carved octagon of grained sandstone, erected in 1896.
Two finely carved angels can be found on either side of the balustrade – all that remains of the rood screen, following a fire in 1980. The choir holds original choir stalls, with the choir vestry to the left-hand side; there is oak-panelled screening between the choir and the choir vestry, and between the choir and the Resurrection Chapel. The wooden communion rail in the chancel was installed in 1963. There is a very fine oak altar, with an image of Christ represented as a lamb. The altar is backed by an ornately carved oak reredos with some gold work, dating from 1854 and crafted in London.
There are several fine stained-glass windows, mostly installed as memorials. There is an image of the Ascension (1921, ecclesiastical south aisle); an image of Jesus and the boy with the loaves and fishes (post 1977, ecclesiastical north aisle); the resurrected Christ, flanked by angels, with a separate roundel of the Holy Spirit as a dove (post 1960, Resurrection Chapel); a triptych of patterned glass containing images of “doubting” Thomas and the four creatures of the Apocalypse (1854, chancel). The side windows in the chancel are patterned; the remaining nave windows are of plain mottled or frosted glass.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 423 538
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.
Churchyard Structures
War Memorial
1927
Simple white marble cross
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
Sources
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