St Thomas' Church, Kendal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Thomas' Church |
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| OS grid reference | SD 514,932 |
| Location | Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Churchmanship | Evangelical |
| Website | St Thomas, Kendal |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Consecrated | 5 July 1837 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 30 January 1985 |
| Architect(s) | George Webster |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1835 |
| Completed | 1837 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone, slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St. Thomas, Kendal |
| Deanery | Kendal |
| Archdeaconry | Westmorland and Furness |
| Diocese | Carlisle |
| Province | York |
St Thomas' Church is a historic church located in Kendal, Cumbria, England. It's an active Anglican church, meaning it's part of the Church of England. This church is a parish church, serving the local community. It's listed as a Grade II building, which means it's considered nationally important and has special historical interest. St Thomas' Church was designed by a local architect named George Webster. He also designed two other churches in Kendal: St George's Church and the Church of Holy Trinity and St George.
Contents
Church History
Building of St Thomas' Church began in 1835. It was officially opened and dedicated on July 5, 1837. The church was designed by the local architect George Webster. Over the years, the church has been changed and new parts have been added. The inside of the church, especially, has been updated many times.
Church Design and Look
Outside the Church
The church is built from stone and has slate roofs. It has a main area called a nave with six sections, but no side aisles. There's also a short chancel (the area around the altar) and an eight-sided room called a vestry on the north side. The church has a tower at the west end, which is built into the main building.
The tower has four levels. The bottom level has three tall, narrow windows called lancet windows, with single lancets on each side. The second level has three stepped lancets. On the third level, there's a clock that was moved from the town hall. The top level has pairs of lancet windows for the bells. The very top of the tower has a castellated parapet (a low wall with battlements) and pointed pinnacles at the corners.
Along the sides of the church, you'll see pairs of lancet windows. These are separated by stepped buttresses, which are supports built into the wall. At the east end of the church, there are three stepped lancet windows. You enter the church from the north side, through a modern concrete parish centre that was added in 1980.
Inside the Church
The inside of St Thomas' Church has been changed a lot over time. The main area, the nave, is now fully carpeted. It has also been opened up to connect with the parish centre on the north side. There is a gallery inside, but the original galleries have been removed. The old roof supports, like tie-beams and king posts, are also gone.
Church Features and Organs
Special Fittings
The pulpit, where sermons are given, was built in 1882 but has since been made smaller. The reredos, which is a screen or decoration behind the altar, has been removed. The stained glass in the east window is almost abstract in design. It was made by a company called Shrigley and Hunt.
Church Organs
It seems there were two pipe organs in the church during the 1800s that were taken out before 1900. There's a record from the 1860s saying the church wanted to get rid of an organ because it was too loud! An organ was built around 1881 by Thomas Wilkinson of Kendal. This organ was later moved to Hightown Methodist Church in Luton in 1898.
The organ that replaced it was a three-manual organ, meaning it had three keyboards. It was made by Harrison and Harrison. This same company made it even bigger in 1909.
Church Recognition
St Thomas' Church was officially recognized as a Grade II listed building on January 30, 1985. Grade II is the lowest of the three levels of listing. It is given to buildings that are "nationally important and of special interest." This means the church is considered a significant part of England's history and architecture.
See also
- Listed buildings in Kendal
- List of works by George Webster
