Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Thornaby-on-Tees facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Peter, Thornaby |
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| Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Thornaby | |
| Old Church of St Peter St Peter's Church, Thornaby |
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Thornaby, Old St Peters
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| 54°32′28″N 1°18′18″W / 54.541°N 1.305°W | |
| OS grid reference | NZ460164 |
| Location | Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Peter (in chains) |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Norman |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 40 feet (12 m) |
| Width | 17 feet 6 inches (5.33 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St. Mark and St. Peter ad Vincula South Thornaby |
| Benefice | South Thornaby |
| Deanery | Middlesbrough |
| Archdeaconry | Cleveland |
| Diocese | York |
The Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Thornaby is an old Anglican church in Thornaby, North Yorkshire, England. This special building is listed as grade II* listed, which means it's a very important historical site. It was built in the 12th century, replacing an even older church. People say that Grace Pace, the mother of the famous explorer Captain Cook, was baptised here!
This church used to be called St Mary's. But after some big repairs in the early 1900s, it was renamed St Peter ad Vincula. This name means "St Peter in Chains," like a famous church in Rome. Sometimes, people call it the Old Church of St Peter. This is because a newer church was built in Thornaby as the town grew.
A Look Back: Church History
How Old Is This Church?
The Domesday Book, a very old record from 1086, mentions that Thornaby already had a church. However, the building you see today was built in the 12th century. It was first dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. Later, in 1908, after a major renovation, it was rededicated to St Peter ad Vincula.
The Story of the Five Lamps
Back in 1495, when the church was called St Mary Magdalene, it was connected to a priory (a type of monastery) in Guisborough. The money from the church and some nearby land helped pay for five lamps. These lamps lit up the church and the area around it.
The lamps were placed there to light a shrine to St Mary. This was done by a knight named Robert de Thormodbi. He was badly hurt during a Crusade battle in Acre in the 1200s. Robert promised that if he survived, he would build a shrine to St Mary.
Why a New Church Was Built
The Church of St Peter is on high ground near the River Tees. It was the heart of the old village of Thornaby. This old village had the church, a few houses, and a long village green.
Later, industries grew along the River Tees, and a new town developed further north. This new area was first called South Stockton, then Thornaby-on-Tees. The old Church of St Peter could only fit about 80 people. So, a new church was needed for the growing population.
Captain Cook's Mother and the Font
There's a local story that Grace Pace, the mother of Captain Cook, was baptised in this church. We know she was born and lived in Thornaby village. However, some people think that around 1702, when she was baptised, the church might not have been the main church for baptisms.
Even so, the church still has its original Norman font. A font is a basin used for baptisms. This suggests that baptisms definitely happened here at some point in the church's long history.
Changes to the Parish and Graveyard
The church was originally part of the Stainton parish. In 1844, it became the main church for its own parish, Thornaby-on-Tees. But this didn't last long. By 1858, St Paul's church in Thornaby became the main church.
The churchyard, which is about 6 acres big, officially opened for burials in 1869. The earliest burial recorded there was in 1746. It closed for new burials in 1870. However, people whose close family members were already buried there could still be buried in the churchyard. Some burials are listed for St Peter's up to 1905.
In the 1970s, a special gate called a lych gate was removed. The area around the church was also changed, and most of the old gravestones were moved to the edges of the churchyard.
Church Design: Architecture
Building Style and Size
The Church of St Peter was originally built in the Norman Romanesque style. This means it has thick walls and round arches. The church is one single room, about 40 feet (12 m) long and 17 feet 6 inches (5.33 m) wide.
The outer walls are different thicknesses. Some stones in the south wall look like they were used before. At least two of these stones have special dials carved into them that show twenty-four hours.
Special Features
The two supports on the east wall, called buttresses, were added in the 15th century when the church was repaired. A small bell tower, called a bellcote, was also added around the same time at the west end of the church.
Inside, the columns and the roof have a unique design with crossed leaves. This is very rare in North Yorkshire. Only one other church in the area, St Wilfrid in South Stainley, has a similar design. Some of the supporting columns inside the church are from the 12th century.
Past Changes and Modern Roof
There used to be a chancel (a part of the church near the altar) at the eastern end. But this was removed a long time ago, and the archway was walled up.
The roof is made of pantiles, which are curved tiles. The original roof was put on around 1908, and a more modern one was installed around 1950. A brand new roof, made of Welsh slate, was put on during 2020 and 2021.
On one of the church walls, there is a plaque dedicated to No. 608 Squadron RAF. This Royal Air Force squadron was formed at RAF Thornaby in 1930.
Church Leadership: Parish
The current minister of the church is Deacon Tom Desics, who started in March 2020. The church and its parish are now part of the Deanery of Middlesbrough. This is within the Archdeaconry of Cleveland and the Diocese of York.
