Church of St Thomas, Dudley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Thomas', Dudley |
|
|---|---|
| Parish Church of Saint Thomas | |
St. Thomas' Church in Dudley, viewed from the North
|
|
 St. Thomas', Dudley
Location in West Midlands county
|
|
| 52°30′31″N 2°05′12″W / 52.5085°N 2.0866°W | |
| OS grid reference | SO942900 |
| Location | Dudley, West Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | c. 1182 |
| Dedication | St Thomas and St Luke |
| Earlier dedication | Thomas Becket |
| Events | Rebuilt in 1815 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* Listed |
| Designated | 14 September 1949 |
| Architect(s) | William Brooks |
| Style | Neo-Gothic |
| Years built | 1815 - 1818 |
| Construction cost | £12,650 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Bath Stone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Dudley; St. Thomas & St. Luke |
| Archdeaconry | Dudley |
| Diocese | Worcester |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of Saint Thomas is a historic Church of England building in Dudley, West Midlands, England. It is a parish church, meaning it serves a local community. People in Dudley often call it 'Top Church'. This helps tell it apart from 'Bottom Church', which is St. Edmund's.
The church was first built a very long time ago, in the 12th century. It was originally named after Thomas Becket. He was an important religious leader who died a few years before the church was founded.
Contents
History of St. Thomas' Church
Early Beginnings in the 12th Century
The first mention of St. Thomas' Church was in 1182. This was in an official document from the Pope. This document gave the church to a nearby religious house called the Priory of St. James. Over time, the church's name changed. It became dedicated to the Apostle St. Thomas instead of Thomas Becket.
Rebuilding the Church in the 19th Century
The church building you see today is not the original 12th-century one. It was rebuilt in the 19th century. In 1815, the old church was considered unsafe. So, a special law was passed by Parliament to allow it to be rebuilt. The new church cost about £12,650 to build. This was a lot of money back then!
World War II Bombing Incident
During World War II, on September 7, 1940, something dramatic happened. A bomb was dropped by German planes (the Luftwaffe) near the front of the church. This explosion broke most of the church's windows. You can still see some of the damage from the bomb's shrapnel today. Shrapnel is small pieces of metal from an exploded bomb.
Location and Church Administration
Dudley's Changing Borders
Even though Dudley town moved into Staffordshire county in 1966, and then the West Midlands county in 1974, the church stayed connected to the Anglican Diocese of Worcester. A diocese is a large area managed by a bishop. This means the church's religious administration did not change with the county borders.
Parish Changes Over Time
The church's original local area, called a parish, was known as Dudley St. Thomas. In 1969, this parish was officially ended. A new, larger parish was created. It is now called Dudley St. Thomas & St. Luke Ecclesiastical Parish. An ecclesiastical parish is a church's local area.
Protecting a Historic Building
The Church of Saint Thomas is a very important historical building. In 1949, it was given a special status. It became a Grade II* listed building. This means it is protected by law. It is considered a building of special interest and importance. This protection helps make sure the church is preserved for the future.
