Friarmere: St Thomas
Overview
Grid reference: SD 984 78
The Church of St Thomas Friarmere was constructed in 1768 at ‘Heights’ on a hill high above the present village. During the industrial revolution the village developed in the valley below the church and in 1884 a mission church, dedicated to St. Hilda, was built adjoining the school room in the centre of the village; the church was constructed in the vernacular style incorporating stone walls and a pitched slate roof. In 1963 the original St Thomas was declared redundant, the mission church was subsequently rededicated to St Thomas and became the parish church. The churchyard at ‘Heights’ remains open, but the original church building is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The school room is now the church hall. In the period of the change over the church was re-ordered incorporating a new porch and entrance with pebbledash rendering and a flat roof.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Description of Archaeology and History
Delph was originally a rural community. The Church of St Thomas Friarmere was constructed in 1768 at ‘Heights’ on a hill high above the present village. During the industrial revolution the village developed in the valley below the church and in 1884 a mission church, dedicated to St. Hilda, was built adjoining the school room in the centre of the village; the church was constructed in the vernacular style incorporating stone walls and a pitched slate roof. In 1963 the original St Thomas was declared redundant, the mission church was subsequently rededicated to St Thomas and became the parish church. The churchyard at ‘Heights’ remains open, but the original church building is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The school room is now the church hall. In the period of the change over the church was re-ordered incorporating a new porch and entrance with pebbledash rendering and a flat roof.
Exterior Description
In the period of the change over the church was re-ordered incorporating a new porch and entrance with pebbledash rendering and a flat roof.
Building Fabric and Features
Porch
Building Materials
Pebbledash
New porch added with pebbledash rendering
Interior
Interior Description
Some items of the furniture from ‘Heights’ were transferred at the time of the closure of the original parish church, including two Charles II chairs and 18th century carved stone font, carved oak communion table, pulpit, clergy desk and Vicar & Churchwardens’ pew, these are mostly located in the sanctuary and chancel with a large lectern and carved oak choir pews. The pews in the nave are Victorian of pine construction. A large elm cross is located on the east wall above the communion table. There are stained glass windows in the south, west and east walls. The chancel and central aisle are carpeted but the side aisles and the remainder of the nave have bare wooden floorboards. The 1960s extension has thermoplastic floor tiles on a solid floor. A pipe organ is located in the north east corner of the nave.
Fixtures and fittings
Chair
17th Century Charles II chairs
Font (object)
18th Century Carved stone font
Table
Carved oak communion table
Pulpit
Pew (object)
Lectern
Stained Glass (window)
on south, west and east walls
Chancel
Organ (object)
pipe organ in north east corner of the nave
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
large elm cross on east wall above communion table
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 984 78
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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