Thomastown Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomastown Church |
|
|---|---|
|
Cill Bhaile Mhic Andáin
|
|
Aisle arcade
|
|
 Thomastown Church
Location in Ireland
|
|
| 52°31′34″N 7°08′21″W / 52.526122°N 7.139052°W | |
| Location | Pipe Street, Thomastown, County Kilkenny |
| Country | Ireland |
| Denomination | Church of Ireland |
| Previous denomination | Pre-Reformation Catholic |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Thomas FitzAnthony |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | inactive |
| Heritage designation | |
| Official name | Thomastown Church |
| Reference no. | 191 |
| Style | French Gothic |
| Years built | between 1215 and 1229 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of floors | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Ossory |
Thomastown Church is an old church from the Middle Ages. It is also a National Monument in County Kilkenny, Ireland. This means it's a very important historical site protected by the country.
Contents
Where is Thomastown Church Located?
Thomastown Church is found right in the middle of Thomastown. It sits just behind the Protestant Church and to the north of the River Nore.
When Was Thomastown Church Built?
This church was started by a knight named Thomas FitzAnthony. He was a Cambro-Norman knight, which means he had both Welsh and Norman roots. King John of England gave him land here in 1215. The church was built between 1215 and 1229.
Who Owned the Church?
The church first belonged to the Inistioge Augustinian Priory, which was a type of monastery established in 1210. It might also have been connected to the Dominican Order, another group of religious people.
Changes Over Time
After a big change in religion called the Reformation, the main part of the church, called the nave, was changed. It was then used by the Anglican Church of Ireland. Later, in 1809, a new Catholic church was built where the south side aisle of the old church used to be.
What Does Thomastown Church Look Like Today?
Thomastown Church was built with a main hall (the nave) and a special area for the altar (the chancel). It also had side sections called aisles.
Today, you can still see parts of the old church. The most impressive part is the north aisle arcade. This is a row of five arches with special pillars that have a quatrefoil shape, like a four-leaf clover. The tops of the pillars, called capitals, are decorated. Above the arches, there's a clerestory, which is a high wall with windows that let light in.
You can also see the west wall and a small piece of the crossing tower. This tower would have been where the main parts of the church met.
