St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Canterbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Thomas' Church |
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| St Thomas of Canterbury Church | |
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North side of church
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| OS grid reference | TR 15125 57759 |
| Location | Canterbury, Kent |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | StThomasofCanterbury.com |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1859 |
| Dedication | Thomas Becket |
| Relics held | Thomas Becket Óscar Romero |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | John Green Hall |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1874 to 1875 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Canterbury |
| Diocese | Southwark |
| Province | Southwark |
St Thomas of Canterbury Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Canterbury, Kent, England. It was built between 1874 and 1875. The church is designed in the Gothic Revival style, which means it looks like older Gothic churches.
You can find it on the corner of Burgate and Canterbury Lane. It's near Canterbury Cathedral in the city centre. This church is the only Roman Catholic church in Canterbury. It was built where an older medieval church once stood. The old St Mary Magdalen’s Tower was kept and is still there today. Inside the church, you can find special items called relics of Thomas Becket.
Contents
A Look Back at the Church's Story
How the Catholic Community Began
After some big changes in England's history, the Catholic community in Canterbury kept going. This was thanks to families like the Hales baronets. Sir Thomas Hales, 2nd Baronet helped Catholics after the 1688 Revolution. They held their church services, called Masses, at a special chapel in Hales Place. These Masses continued there until 1923. The chapel was later sold in 1928.
Starting the Church Mission
In 1859, a new Catholic effort, called a mission, began in Canterbury. It started when a woman named Mary Ann Wood gave her house at 59 Burgate Street. This house is now the presbytery, where the priest lives. The land around the house was bought later. This land was used to build the church and a school. An old medieval chapel dedicated to St Mary Magdalene was on this land. In 1871, the chapel was taken down, but its tower was saved and still stands.
Building the Church
Building work on the church began in 1874. It was designed by a local architect named John Green Hall. The church's design was inspired by E. W. Pugin. He was a famous architect who had worked at Hales Place.
The church officially opened on April 13, 1875. A very important church leader, Cardinal Henry Manning, spoke at the opening Mass. Over the years, the church has been updated. In the 1960s, big changes were made inside. A beautiful stained-glass window was added above the main altar. More updates happened in the 1980s. A new octagonal altar, made of limestone and marble, was put in. A special Baptismal font, made in 1865, was also added.
Next to the main area is the Lady Chapel. It has a statue of Mary holding Jesus, called a pieta. There are also sculptures of St. Constance and St George. An altar was donated to this chapel in 1905.
The Martyrs’ Chapel holds a special shrine. This shrine contains relics of St Thomas of Canterbury. The church says these relics have a very clear history. An extension was added to the church in 1963. This part includes the Canterbury Saints Chapel. It has a large painting called "The Canterbury Saints" by Helen Grunwald.
At the back of the church, there is an organ loft. It holds a large organ that was rebuilt in 1990.
Church Updates and Relics
In June 1942, buildings around the church were damaged during The Blitz. In 1953, some relics and the Stations of the Cross were given to the church. These items came from Westminster Cathedral. They were donated by Cardinal Bernard Griffin.
In the early 1960s, the church was extended and rearranged. A modern, two-story building was added to the north side. A Martyrs Chapel was built on the south side. This chapel holds the relics of St Thomas of Canterbury. In 1989, the sanctuary area was updated. A mosaic was installed in the north aisle in 1997. It shows St Augustine of Canterbury.
Special Relics in the Church
The Martyrs Chapel has a special container called a reliquary above its altar. This reliquary holds a piece of clothing that belonged to Thomas Becket. It also has a small piece of bone from his body. These items were given to the church in the late 1800s by Mary Hales. The relics originally came from Gubbio, Italy, where they had been kept since the 1220s.
In 1953, a monk named Fr Thomas Becquet gave another relic to the church. He was a descendant of Thomas Becket's family. This relic was a piece of Becket’s finger. On either side of the reliquary are statues of St John Fisher and St Thomas More. The chapel also has a stained-glass window. It shows the death of St Thomas Becket, St Gregory the Great, and St Augustine of Canterbury.
Another reliquary is set into the wall. It contains parts of the Mass clothes of Óscar Romero. He was an Archbishop from San Salvador. These were given to the church in 1997. On the west wall of the Martyrs' Chapel, there is a statue of St John Stone.
Church Services
Masses are held every weekday at Noon. On Saturdays, Masses are at Noon and 6pm. On Sundays, you can attend Mass at 8am, 9:30am, 11am, and 6pm.
See also
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark
Images for kids
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St Mary Magdalene chapel, demolished in 1871 to make space for the church
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