St Thomas' Church, Garstang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Thomas', Garstang |
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| OS grid reference | SD 49093 45049 |
| Location | Garstang, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 17 April 1967 |
| Architect(s) | Richard Gillow Paley and Austin |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Garstang |
| Archdeaconry | Lancaster |
| Diocese | Blackburn |
| Province | York |
St Thomas' Church is a Church of England church located in Garstang, a market town in Lancashire, England. It is an active parish church within the Diocese of Blackburn. The church was built in 1770. It started as a smaller church, called a "chapel of ease," for a bigger church nearby. Later, it became a parish church with its own area to serve. St Thomas' Church is also a "Grade II listed building," which means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Contents
What is the History of St Thomas' Church?
Early Beginnings in Garstang
Long ago, the area of Garstang was part of a larger church district. The main church for this district was St Helen's Church, located about 2 miles (3.2 km) away. In the 1400s, a small chapel was built in Garstang. This chapel was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It was a "chapel of ease," which means it was built to make it easier for people to go to church without traveling far to the main parish church. Over time, this old chapel was no longer used.
Building the New Church
In 1770, a brand new chapel was built in Garstang, but in a different spot. This new building was named after Saint Thomas. The person who designed it was an architect named Richard Gillow. Much later, in 1879, a special part of the church called the chancel was added. This part was likely designed by a famous architecture company called Paley and Austin. Just two years later, in 1881, St Thomas' Church became a full parish church. This meant it had its own official area and responsibilities. Around this time, the churchyard, which is the land around the church, was also made bigger.
What Does St Thomas' Church Look Like?
Church Design and Materials
St Thomas' Church is built from sandstone rubble, which means it uses rough, broken pieces of sandstone. Its roofs are made of slate. The church has a simple design. It has a main hall called a nave, with a tall tower at the west end. There is also a chancel and a transept (a part that sticks out like an arm) on the north side. The tower is square and has round openings where the bells are.
Inside the Church: Windows and Art
The large window at the east end of the church has three sections. It features a beautiful stained glass picture of Saint Thomas. This artwork was created by Carl Almquist from a company called Shrigley & Hunt. There is also another stained glass picture by the same company that shows the Ascension of Jesus, which is when Jesus went up to heaven. Inside the chancel, you can see a bronze sculpture of Christ. This artwork was made in 1974 by an artist named Josefina de Vasconcellos.
What is Outside the Church?
Churchyard Features
In the churchyard, which is the area around the church, you can find the remains of a very old medieval cross. It is made of sandstone and has a rectangular base and a tall shaft (the main part of the cross). The churchyard is also a special place because it contains war graves. These are the graves of soldiers who died in World War I. There is one British soldier and one Australian soldier buried here.
Why is St Thomas' Church Important?
Its Special Status
St Thomas' Church was officially named a Grade II listed building on April 17, 1967. This means it is considered "nationally important and of special interest." The old sandstone cross in the churchyard also has this Grade II status. This is the lowest of the three grades for listed buildings, but it still means the building is very important to England's history. Some experts have described the church as a "cheap uninspired job," but its historical status shows its value.
How the Church is Managed
St Thomas' is an active parish church. It belongs to the Anglican Diocese of Blackburn, which is part of the Province of York. It is also part of the archdeaconry of Lancaster and the Deanery of Garstang. This system helps organize how the church serves its community and connects with other churches.
See also
- Listed buildings in Garstang
- List of ecclesiastical works by Paley and Austin
