St Thomas' Church, Eaton facts for kids
St Thomas' Church is a special old building located in Eaton, a village in Cheshire, England. It's an active Anglican church, which means it's part of the Church of England. People in the area come here for services and community events. The church is known for its interesting history and unique design.
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Exploring St Thomas' Church
St Thomas' Church is part of a larger group of churches in the area. It belongs to the deanery of Malpas, which is a local church district. It's also part of the archdeaconry of Chester and the diocese of Chester, which are bigger church regions. This church works together with other nearby churches like St Helen's in Tarporley, St John and Holy Cross in Cotebrook, and St Paul Utkinton.
When Was the Church Built?
This church is not super old, but it has a cool history! St Thomas' Church was built in 1896. That means it's over 125 years old! It was made using bricks, which was a common building material at the time.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church has some interesting features that make it special:
- Lancet Windows: These are tall, narrow windows with pointed tops. They look a bit like the tip of a spear or a lancet, which is where they get their name. They let light into the church in a beautiful way.
- West Porch: This is a small entrance area at the front of the church, usually on the west side. It's a place where people can gather before entering the main part of the church.
- Timber Bellcote: Instead of a big bell tower, St Thomas' has a timber bellcote. This is a small, wooden structure on the roof that holds the church bell. It's a charming and unique feature.
How Was the Church Updated?
In 1936, about 40 years after it was built, the church got some important updates. An architect named Henry Paley from a famous firm called Austin and Paley helped with these changes. He was from Lancaster.
Paley and his team added many new things to make the church even better:
- Marble Floor: The area around the altar, called the sanctuary, got a beautiful new floor made of shiny marble.
- Reredos: This is a decorative screen or panel placed behind the altar. It often has carvings or paintings.
- Pulpit: This is a raised platform where the priest stands to give sermons or readings.
- Stalls: These are special seats, often made of wood, for the clergy or choir members.
- Chancel Screen: This is a decorative screen that separates the chancel (the area around the altar) from the main part of the church where the congregation sits.
- Organ Chamber: A special room was created to house the church organ. This helps the sound of the organ fill the church beautifully.
These updates helped to make St Thomas' Church even more beautiful and functional for the community.
