Sts Thomas Minster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newport Minster (Sts Thomas, Newport, Isle of Wight) |
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Newport Minster (Isle of Wight)
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | Thomas the Apostle and St Thomas Becket |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Newport |
| Deanery | Isle of Wight |
| Archdeaconry | Isle of Wight |
| Diocese | Portsmouth |
| Province | Canterbury |
Newport Minster, also known as Sts Thomas Minster, is a very important Anglican church. It is considered the main Anglican church on the Isle of Wight. This church is special because it is dedicated to two different saints named Thomas: Thomas Becket and Thomas the Apostle.
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History of Newport Minster
The first church on this spot was built a long time ago, in the late 1100s. It was first dedicated to Thomas Becket, who was also known as St Thomas of Canterbury. He lived from 1118 to 1170.
Later, during the time of King Henry VIII, Thomas Becket was declared a traitor. Because of this, the "Canterbury" part of the church's name was removed. Over time, many people started to think the church was dedicated to Thomas the Apostle instead.
By the 1700s, the old church was in very bad condition. It was decided that a new church needed to be built in its place. Money was raised to help build this new church.
Building the New Church
The new church was built between 1854 and 1855. It was designed by an architect named Samuel Daukes from Cheltenham. When the new church was finished, it was dedicated to both Thomas the Apostle and Thomas Becket. This was a way to remember the church's long history.
The church's tower has a set of 12 bells that can be rung.
Becoming a Minster
In 2008, the church was given the special title of "Minster." This was done to show how important it is to the Isle of Wight and its community. The title was given by Kenneth Stevenson, who was the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth at the time. Even though it's called a Minster, this title doesn't change its official status within the Church of England.
Notable Burials
Newport Minster is the resting place for some important historical figures.
- Princess Elizabeth of England: She was the daughter of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria. A special memorial for her was placed in the church in 1856. It was given by Queen Victoria and created by an artist named Carlo Marochetti.
- Sir Edward Horsey: He was buried here in 1582.
The Organ
The church has a large pipe organ located in the west gallery. This organ is a beautiful part of the church's architecture.
The first organ was built in 1870 by a company called Forster and Andrews. Later, in 1925, a new organ was installed by Conacher Sheffield & Co Ltd. This organ was then rebuilt in 1957 by J.W. Walker. When it was rebuilt, some parts from the original Forster & Andrews organ were kept and used again.
