St Thomas' Church, Kirkby-in-Ashfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Thomas’ Church, Kirkby in Ashfield |
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 St Thomas’ Church, Kirkby in Ashfield
Location in Nottinghamshire
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| 53°05′47″N 1°14′35.3″W / 53.09639°N 1.243139°W | |
| Location | Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Thomas |
| Consecrated | 23 May 1903 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Louis Ambler |
| Groundbreaking | 27 July 1901 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Thomas Kirkby in Ashfield |
| Deanery | Newstead |
| Archdeaconry | Newark |
| Diocese | Southwell and Nottingham |
| Province | York |
St Thomas’ Church is a beautiful church located in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is part of the Church of England. This church is a special place for the community, where people gather for worship and other events.
Contents
History of St Thomas’ Church
Building the Church
The journey to build St Thomas’ Church began over 120 years ago. On 27 July 1901, an important ceremony took place. The Duke of Portland laid the first foundation stone. This stone is a special block that marks the beginning of a building's construction.
The church was designed by a talented architect named Louis Ambler. He created the plans for the entire building. Building the church was quite expensive for its time. It cost more than £5,000. To give you an idea, £5,000 in 1903 would be worth a lot more money today! The Duke of Portland helped a lot by donating £2,000 towards the cost.
Church Opening and Dedication
After two years of hard work, the church was ready. On 23 May 1903, St Thomas’ Church was officially opened. This special event is called a consecration. It means the church was formally set aside for religious use. The Bishop of Southwell led this important ceremony.
Adding the Lady Chapel
Many years later, between 1936 and 1937, a new part was added to the church. This addition was called the Lady Chapel. It was designed by E Watkinson. What makes this chapel extra special is how it was built. It was created entirely by volunteers from the church community. These skilled craftsmen and helpers gave their spare time to build it. The Lady Chapel was officially dedicated on 17 April 1937 by the Bishop of Southwell. This dedication meant it was also set aside for worship.
The Church Organ
Inside St Thomas’ Church, there is a wonderful organ. This musical instrument was made by a company called Wadsworth Brothers. They were based in Manchester. The organ helps to lead the singing during church services and provides beautiful music for special occasions.
