List of new churches by Thomas Rickman facts for kids

Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Hampton Lucy

Thomas Rickman (1776–1841) was a talented English architect who taught himself everything he knew about building design. He worked in cities like Liverpool and Birmingham. Rickman is most famous for designing many new churches, especially in the Gothic Revival style. This style brought back the look of old medieval churches. He also helped fix up and add to existing churches. Besides churches, he designed other buildings too, such as large country homes, public buildings, schools, and banks.

Who Was Thomas Rickman?

Thomas Rickman was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire. He first studied medicine and worked as a doctor for a short time. But he didn't stick with it. He then worked in London and later moved to Liverpool in 1808 as an insurance clerk. During this time, he became very interested in Gothic buildings.

While in Liverpool, he met John Cragg, who owned a factory that made things from iron. Together, they designed three churches using lots of cast iron for both the structure and decoration. Rickman then helped redesign Scarisbrick Hall. In 1817, he opened his own architecture office in Liverpool. A year later, Henry Hutchinson joined him, first as a student, then as a partner.

Rickman's Famous Book

In 1817, Rickman published a very important book called An Attempt to Discriminate the Styles of English Architecture. In this book, he neatly divided English architecture into different styles. These styles are still used by experts today! They include:

• Norman (from around 1066 to 1189)
• Early English (from around 1189 to 1307)
• Decorated (from around 1307 to 1377)
• Perpendicular (from around 1377 to 1547)

This book helped people understand and appreciate the history of English buildings much better.

Designing Churches Across England

Rickman later started working with the Church Commissioners. This group was responsible for building many new churches across England. Rickman designed several of these "Commissioners' churches." His first one was St George's Church in Birmingham.

In 1820, he opened an office in Birmingham and moved there with Henry Hutchinson the next year. He stayed in Birmingham for the rest of his career. Around this time, he became the architect for Worcester Cathedral. Soon after, he and Hutchinson began their biggest project: New Court at St John's College, Cambridge.

In 1830, Rickman was chosen to join the Society of Antiquaries of London. This showed that he was now fully accepted as a leading architect. Henry Hutchinson passed away in 1831. Later that year, R. C. Hussey joined Rickman's practice and became a partner in 1835. Thomas Rickman died in 1841.

Thomas Rickman's New Churches

This list shows some of the new churches designed by Thomas Rickman. Many of these churches are still standing and are important historical buildings.

Understanding Building Grades

Buildings in England are given special "grades" to show how important they are.

List of Churches

Name	Location	Photograph	Date	Notes	Grade
St George's Church	Everton, Liverpool, Merseyside		1813–14	Built with John Cragg, using lots of cast iron from his factory.	I
St Michael's Church	St Michael's Hamlet, Liverpool, Merseyside		1814	Also built with John Cragg, using lots of cast iron.	I
St Philip's Church	Liverpool, Merseyside		1815–16	Built with John Cragg, using lots of cast iron. It was taken down in 1882.
St George's Church	Birmingham, West Midlands		1819–21	This church was taken down. Only its gates and gate posts remain and are listed.	II
St Mary's Church	Birkenhead, Merseyside		1821	The church was no longer used in 1975 and parts of it were taken down.	II
St Barnabas' Church	Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands		1822–23	This was one of the "Commissioners' churches."	II
St George's Church	Chorley, Lancashire		1822–25	Another Commissioners' church.	II*
St Peter's Church	Preston, Lancashire		1822–25	A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson. Now part of the University of Central Lancashire.	II*
Church of St Peter ad Vincula	Hampton Lucy, Warwickshire		1822–26	Designed with Henry Hutchinson. People say this was their most important work.	I
St Mary's Church	Mellor, Lancashire		1825–27	A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson.	II
St Andrew's Church	Ombersley, Worcestershire		1825–29	Designed with Henry Hutchinson for the Marchioness of Downshire.	II*
St Thomas' Church	Birmingham, West Midlands		1826–29	A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson in a neoclassical style. It was bombed in 1941, and only the front part remains.	II
St Peter's Church	Darwen, Lancashire		1827–29	A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson.	II*
St John the Evangelist's Church	Oulton, West Yorkshire		1827–29	Designed with Henry Hutchinson.	II*
Holy Trinity Church	Lawrence Hill, Bristol		1829–32	A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson. It is no longer used as a church.	II*
St Mary's Church	Tiddington, Oxfordshire		1830	A small church for the Hon. Frederick Bertie.	II
St John the Divine's Church	Pemberton, Wigan, Greater Manchester		1830–32	A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson.	II
St David's Church	Haigh, Greater Manchester		1830–33	A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson.	II
St Mary's Church	Lower Hardres, Kent		1831–32	Designed with Henry Hutchinson.	II
St Matthew's Church	Cotham, Bristol		1833–35		II
Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel	Redditch, Worcestershire		1834		II
All Saints Church	Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire		1835–37		II*
Church of the Holy Ascension	Settle, North Yorkshire		1836–38		II
St. Stephen's Church	Sneinton, Nottingham		1837–39	Designed with R. C. Hussey. Only the tower and part of the south transept remain from their original design.	II
Christ Church	Clevedon, Somerset		1838–39	Designed with R. C. Hussey.	II*

Images for kids

• St George's Church, Barnsley.jpg

  St George's Church, Barnsley (demolished 1993)

• Christ Church, Gloucester.jpg

  Christ Church, Gloucester

• St Paul's Church, Preston, Lancashire.jpg

  St Paul's Church, Preston, Lancashire

• St Peter's Church, Dale End.jpg

  St Peter's Church, Dale End (demolished 1899)

• St James' Church, Lower Darwen.jpg

  St James' Church, Lower Darwen (rebuilt 1969)

• Christ Church, Carlisle, Cumbria.jpg

  Christ Church, Carlisle (demolished 1952)

• Holy Trinity Church, Carlisle, Cumbria.jpg

  Holy Trinity Church, Carlisle (demolished 1981)

• St John's Church, Whittle-le-Woods.jpg

  St John's Church, Whittle-le-Woods (replaced 1880–82)

• Christ Church, Coventry.jpg

  Christ Church, Coventry (bombed, only spire remains)

• St Stephen's Church, Tockholes.jpg

  St Stephen's Church, Tockholes (replaced 1965–66)

• All Saints' Church, Hockley.jpg

  All Saints' Church, Hockley (demolished)

• Emmanuel Church, Charnwood.jpg

  Emmanuel Church, Charnwood

See also

• List of church restorations and alterations by Thomas Rickman
• List of non-ecclesiastical works by Thomas Rickman