Nominal: 760 Hz Weight: 1660 lbs Diameter: 42" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1923
Dove Bell ID: 2472 Tower ID: 14227 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Exeter: St Thomas the Apostle
Diocese of Exeter
Church, 615086
http://www.stthomaschurchexeter.co.ukThis church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2024-11-14)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: SX 912 918
Original church (consecrated) 1412, rebuilt following fire in 1657 (C17 tower, South aisle & East of North aisle). North aisle rebuilt 1821 and the east end by Andrew Patey in 1828-9. Refitted 1842. Restored 1871 by John Hayward. South-west vestry added 1909.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower. Aisled nave with chapel in north aisle, north porch and south-west vestry. North and south transepts. Chancel with south chapel and north organ chamber.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] Nave 7m (23ft) x 17m (56ft), chancel 11m (36ft) x 6m (20ft), aisles 4m (13ft) wide
Footprint of Church buildings: 605 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Exeter was settled early and was a successful Roman town - parts of the walls remain evident. There are many records on the Exeter Historic Environment Records which should be studied further ahead of any works to the building. A sample of these shows archaeological evidence within 500m of St Thomas including Bronze Age barrows, a rope works to the north-east and the site of a wool mill c 1899 to the north.
St Thomas is the largest of the ancient city churches of Exeter. Until the 16th century it was known as St Thomas the Martyr. The current church is the third, though the second on this site.
In 1160 a small priory was established west of the river by the Benedictine order from Bec Abbey in France. They built a chapel at the west side of the Exe bridge in 1261 as an alternative place of worship to the priory church of St Andrew. Only a few spans of the bridge remain visible on the east bank of the river today. The chapel was destroyed by floods in 1403. Land for a new church was given by John de Bourgeauyll, less than half a mile away, where today’s church stands. It was consecrated in 1412. The area, which had been called Cowick, soon became known as St Thomas.
Following a fire during the Civil War in 1645, in 1657 the church was largely rebuilt at a cost of £578 including £40 given by Lady Carew for the Carew or Barley aisle. The tower may still date to 1412, with newer elements, and the south aisle could be earlier with later windows. In 1683 a west gallery was inserted. The north aisle and north porch were built in 1821. Records show that an ICBS grant application for enlargement was rejected that year.
The next major phase of work was in 1828-9 when a new larger chancel and galleried transepts were constructed to the east end, designed by Andrew Patey. The interior was refitted in 1842. The west gallery was removed and new pews were installed in 1869. The church was restored again by John Hayward in 1871.
Rev J H Prince became vicar in 1902. He considered that the church was beyond repair and launched an appeal to build a new one. His idea was well supported but ultimately considered too ambitious and abandoned. Instead, in 1909 the south-west vestry was added, the organ moved, galleries removed from the transepts and some new fittings introduced.
In 1984 a restoration programme was undertaken. The church was reordered in 1987-9 with a new altar brought down into the body of the church and carpet laid at the east end. At the same time a crypt was discovered beneath the organ chamber and underpinned.
The churchyard, which was extended in 1830, contains trees which are recognised within the Conservation Area Appraisal as making a positive townscape feature, as well as the churchyard gates and views of the church and churchyard. The church is recognised within the appraisal as one of the most significant buildings in the conservation area.
The archaeological potential of the site is considerable. There has been a church on the site since the early 1400s and burials have been made beneath the church. There are no known designations relating to the ecology of the plot, though it contains mature trees and is located within a conservation area so proposals affecting trees must be notified to the Local Authority.
Exterior Description
St Thomas is a long church which stretches along Cowick Road, with emphasis to either end formed by a tall west tower and a higher, more modern, east end with gabled transepts and perpendicular tracery throughout.
The tall west tower has a crenellated parapet and stone corner buttresses which terminate with crocketed finials (later) at each corner, and clock faces on the north and east sides positioned beneath two-light louvred openings which appear on each facet. An octagonal turret rises in the north-east corner. At ground level a pointed doorway, beneath a three-light window, provides access into the base of the tower.
Attached to the east of the tower is a low nave with aisles under separate roofs. The north wall has three-light pointed windows, and at the west end a three-light window with intersecting tracery. The elevation is interrupted by a small projecting north porch with crenallated parapet. A crenelated parapet also runs along the length of the elevation. On the south side, the aisle has three-light square-headed windows. The three-light pointed west window is obscured by a later flat-roofed vestry to the south of the tower. SPAB-style tile repairs are in great evidence.
The east end contrasts with the west. It was added at a later date and rises higher than the nave. Original render was removed in the 19th century leading to deterioration of stonework. The exposed elevations caused by the change in height between the rooflines, is tile-hung. A circular window pierces the central gable above the nave, facing west above the chancel crossing. Crenelated parapets continue around each side and tall, rendered buttresses with high plinths terminate in crocketed finials at each corner. Gabled transepts project to either side. The north and south elevations are composed with ornate rose windows above a three-light pointed window.
The chancel has a three-light south window and the south-east chapel a three-light square-headed window in the east wall. A five-light window pierces the east elevation.
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
17th century west
Aisle
19th century north, rebuilt
Aisle
17th century south
Porch
19th century north
Vestry
17th century south-west
Transept
17th century north and south
Nave
17th century
Chancel
17th century
Chapel (component)
17th century south
Organ (component)
17th century north chamber
Building Materials
Basalt
15th Century
Exeter Volcanics
Basalt
15th Century
Exeter Volcanics
Basalt
15th Century
Exeter Volcanics
Basalt
15th Century
Pocombe Stone
Basalt
15th Century
Pocombe Stone
Basalt
15th Century
Pocombe Stone
Basalt
15th Century
Pocombe Stone
Bath Stone
15th Century
Bath Stone
Bath Stone
15th Century
Bath Stone
Bath Stone
15th Century
Bath Stone
Beer Stone
15th Century
Beer Stone
Beer Stone
15th Century
Beer Stone
Breccia
15th Century
Exeter Group Breccias
Breccia
15th Century
Heavitree Breccia
Breccia
15th Century
Heavitree Breccia
Breccia
15th Century
Heavitree Breccia
Limestone
15th Century
Pale Grey Torquay Limestone
Salcombe Stone
15th Century
Salcombe Stone
Salcombe Stone
15th Century
Salcombe Stone
Salcombe Stone
15th Century
Salcombe Stone
Slate
15th Century
Slate
Slate
15th Century
Slate
Sandstone
17th century rubble
Limestone
17th century dressings
Render
19th century buttresses
Slate
20th century roof tiles
Interior
Interior Description
The interior can be accessed through the base of the tower from the west, beneath a balcony that reaches across the high pointed tower arch, through glazed wood doors. Alternative access can be made through the north porch whose modern glazed internal door projects into the north aisle. It was installed in the 1990s but is kept locked. A fine monument is situated above it.
The nave has aisles either side of pointed 7-bay arcades carried on octagonal piers. The walls are plastered and painted white, with a wood panelled dado. There are many wall monuments. A keel shape vault forms the ceiling to the nave, which is repeated above the aisles. The floors are formed of clay encaustic tiles with inlaid ledger stones, mostly of 18th century date. Seating is provided by pine (?) pews with curved seats and carved ends. The original numbers are still visible painted on the ends, accompanied either by the word ‘free’ or a name. The pews are fixed to raised wood platforms.
A screen at the west end of the south aisle forms a vestry area with access to the choir vestry beyond. East of the porch in the north aisle is a family chapel erected by the Graves-Sawle family in 1838 and known as the ‘Barley pew’. It is raised by a step on each side and has a private north door. The space is panelled and has a fine, painted, cross-vaulted ceiling, with carved painted heads, armorials, a plain altar table to the east and carved oak stalls dated 1909. An arch opens into the north transept.
The chancel and transepts rise to a great height at the east end. Columns are gypsum coated iron (?). Seating is provided within both transepts. The transept to the south is in particularly poor condition. A Lady Chapel extends to its east with a large gaudy modern altarpiece depicting the Nativity on the east wall. The sanctuary and choir is raised by three steps from the nave. The floors are carpeted and the ceilings formed by painted and gilded ribs. An organ chamber is positioned to the north with pipes along the east wall of the north transept as well as the north chancel wall. It has a crypt beneath it. Good, carved oak choir stalls (in memory of Thomas Snow, 1902) are positioned to the north and south sides. The sanctuary is raised by a step and the three walls beneath the window cill is panelled with stone ogee shaped tracery panels with gilded and painted elements. Integrated into the panelling is a tomb on the north side, the reredos and a small door to the south.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century carved stone
Reredos
19th century carved stone, Gothic arcaded canopied reredos, 1842, an effigy integrated to the north side, gilded and painted
Pulpit
20th century substantial carved octagonal oak pulpit on red and grey marble base inscribed 1902
Lectern
14th century Huge, carved oak eagle lectern with figures and animals integrated into the carved base, c.1340. Relocated from Exeter Cathedral in 1840 by Revd John Medley. Thought to be the earliest known surviving English cathedral lectern, though it is much restored.
Font (component)
19th century Carved octagonal limestone font, 1842. With ogee tracery and crockets to basin. Latin inscription around the top edge refers to vicar, Revd John Medley. Design based on that in Beverley, St Mary.
Rail
20th century simple oak with open carved tracery between the uprights, c 1909
Stained Glass (window)
19th century • North-west window – depicts 3 figures. In memory of Thomas Snow, d. 1887. Attributed by Dr Neil Moat to Frederick Drake of Exeter; • North aisle window – depicts 3 figures. In memory of Bishop Medley, c. 1894; • North chapel – heraldic window, 1872; • North transept – figurative scene, in memory of Thomas Snow, d.1832; • South transept – Last Supper with figurative scene above, 1872. Attributed by Dr Neil Moat to William Francis Dixon, London. Rose window above is rumoured to have some medieval glass but unverified; • South – small scenes with heraldic devices and pattern, c.1837. Attributed by Dr Neil Moat to Robert Beer, Exeter, a potentially significant window; • South – patterned glass in memory of James Langdon, 1838; • South – James Langdon Thomas, 1888. Attributed by Dr Neil Moat to Frederick Drake of Exeter; • West tower window – unable to access close enough to see details
Stained Glass (window)
20th century • East window – Our Lord reigning from the Cross, 1951
Plaque (component)
17th - 19th century Many wall memorials, brass plaques (south chapel) and ledger stones. Quite a few monuments record burials within the church.
Organ (component)
19th century 1814 by G P England. Replaced by 1876 Wadsworth & Bro, Manchester. Originally positioned on a west gallery. Moved in 1909 to ground level in current position of Lady Chapel.
Bells
Nominal: 1520 Hz Weight: 414 lbs Diameter: 25" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1923
Dove Bell ID: 20537 Tower ID: 14227 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1424 Hz Weight: 427 lbs Diameter: 25.5" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1923
Dove Bell ID: 20538 Tower ID: 14227 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1265 Hz Weight: 453 lbs Diameter: 27" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1923
Dove Bell ID: 20539 Tower ID: 14227 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1140 Hz Weight: 557 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1923
Dove Bell ID: 20540 Tower ID: 14227 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1012 Hz Weight: 706 lbs Diameter: 31.88" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1923
Dove Bell ID: 20541 Tower ID: 14227 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 952 Hz Weight: 842 lbs Diameter: 34" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1923
Dove Bell ID: 20542 Tower ID: 14227 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 856 Hz Weight: 1101 lbs Diameter: 37.5" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1923
Dove Bell ID: 20543 Tower ID: 14227 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Parish registers date from 1541
Churchyard
Grid reference: SX 912 918
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
The date of the burial closure order is 18/10/1854, varied 07/10/1869
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
Sources
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