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St Thomas' Church, Friarmere facts for kids

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St Thomas' Church, Friarmere
(Heights Chapel)
A two-storey stone church with round-headed windows and a bellcote on the near gable
St Thomas' Church, Friarmere, from the southwest
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OS grid reference SD 982 090
Location Delph, Greater Manchester
Country England
Denomination Anglican
Website Churches Conservation Trust
Architecture
Functional status Redundant
Heritage designation Grade II*
Designated 19 June 1967
Architectural type Church
Style Georgian
Groundbreaking 1765
Completed 19th century
Specifications
Materials Stone, with stone slate roofs

St Thomas' Church, Friarmere, also known as Heights Chapel, is an old Anglican church. It stands on a hillside looking over the village of Delph in Greater Manchester, England. This church is a very important historical building. It is protected as a Grade II* listed building and is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust.

History of St Thomas' Church

This church was built in 1765. It was needed because more people were living in the area. Before St Thomas' was built, people had to travel far to go to church in Rochdale or Saddleworth.

Changes Over Time

In the 1800s, some parts were added to the church. A small bell tower, called a bellcote, was put on the outside. Inside, new furniture and decorations were added.

Later, when a new church was built in Delph, many of these inside items were moved there. St Thomas' Church was no longer used for regular services after April 16, 1970. It was then given to the Churches Conservation Trust on May 24, 1972, to be preserved.

Architecture and Design

St Thomas' Church is made from stone, and its roof is covered with stone slates. It has a simple shape, mostly a long rectangular room called a nave. There is also a small chancel at one end and a vestry wing.

Outside Features

The main part of the church has two floors. The corners of the building have special stone blocks called quoins. At the front (west side), there are two doors. Above these doors, you can see the year 1765 carved into the stone.

Between the doors is a round-topped window. On the upper floor, there are two more windows like it. Above these windows, the roof forms a triangle called a gable. On top of the gable is the bellcote with a cross. The sides of the church have two rows of four windows, all similar to the ones at the front.

Inside the Church

Inside, there are galleries (like balconies) on three sides. These galleries are held up by columns that follow a style called Tuscan. You can also find special plaques on the walls. These plaques are memorials to members of the Buckley family.

Churchyard and Memorials

The area around the church, called the churchyard, is also important. It contains the graves of soldiers who died in wars. There is a grave for a soldier from World War I who was part of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. There is also a grave for a Royal Navy officer from World War II.

Images for kids

See also

  • Grade II* listed buildings in Greater Manchester
  • List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in Northern England
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