St Thomas' Church, Brampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Thomas’ Church, Brampton |
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St Thomas’ Church, Brampton
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| 53°13′54.12″N 1°27′32.76″W / 53.2317000°N 1.4591000°W | |
| Location | Brampton, Derbyshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | st-thomas-brampton.org |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Thomas the Martyr |
| Consecrated | 9 August 1832 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Architect(s) | Woodhead and Hurst |
| Groundbreaking | 1830 |
| Completed | 1831 |
| Construction cost | £3,013 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Thomas Brampton |
| Deanery | Chesterfield |
| Archdeaconry | Chesterfield |
| Diocese | Derby |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Thomas’ Church in Brampton, Derbyshire is a special building with a long history. It is a Grade II listed building, which means it's considered important and protected because of its history and architecture. This church is part of the Church of England.
Contents
History of St Thomas' Church
Building the Church (1830-1832)
St Thomas' Church was built a long time ago, between 1830 and 1831. It was designed by two architects named John Woodhead and William Hurst. The church was built as a "Commissioners' church." This means the government helped pay for it, giving a grant of £2,063 to help build new churches for growing towns.
The church was officially opened and made sacred on 9 August 1832. This special ceremony is called a "consecration."
First Big Changes (1887)
In 1887, the church got a big makeover. The old, tall wooden benches (called "high-backed pews") were taken out. They were replaced with new, open seating made from pitch pine wood. This change allowed about 100 more people to sit in the church.
During this time, the church was also cleaned, painted, and its heating system was made better. The round railings around the altar were changed to straight ones, and a new altar was put in. These improvements were done by a local company called Messrs. Marsden and Son.
Adding the Chancel (1888-1891)
A "chancel" is a part of the church near the altar, often where the choir sits. On 29 August 1888, a special stone was laid to start building a new chancel for St Thomas' Church. Mrs. Alfred Barnes helped with this important step.
The company Naylor and Sale from Derby built the new chancel. It was finished and made sacred by Bishop George Ridding on 7 July 1891.
Later Work and an Accident (1903)
More restoration work happened in 1903, led by Cole Adams. Sadly, during this work, a painter named James Walter Hardy fell from a scaffold and died on 1 July 1903.
Church Community and Status
St Thomas' Church is part of a larger church community. It shares a "joint parish" with St Peter's Church in Holymoorside. This means they work together as one church family.
Church Leaders (Incumbents)
The church has had many leaders over the years, called "Rectors" or "Vicars." Here are some of the people who have led the church:
- Matson Vincent (1831 - 1846)
- John Beridge Jebb (1846 - 1863)
- John Magens Mello (1863 - 1887)
- Charles Edward Little (1887 - 1900)
- Edward Starkie Shuttleworth (1900 - 1906)
- Frederick Herbert Burnside (1906 - 1925)
- Hubert John Sillitoe (1925 - 1944)
- John Dawson Hooley (1944 - 1957)
- Lionel William Daffurn (1957 - 1974)
- Vyvyan Watts-Jones (1974 - 1985)
- Christopher John Cokayne Frith (1985 - 2003)
- David Peter Mouncer (2003 - 2008)
- Matthew John Barnes (2008 - 2018)
- David Owens (2018 - 2021, Acting Rector)
- Gary Weston (from 2022, Priest In Charge)
The Church Organ
St Thomas' Church has a beautiful organ. It was built by Charles Lloyd of Nottingham and installed in 1906. The organ cost £534 at the time. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.
