Church of St Thomas, Wells

Church of St Thomas
LocationWells, Somerset, England
Coordinates51°12′46″N 2°38′13″W / 51.2129°N 2.6370°W / 51.2129; -2.6370
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameChurch of St Thomas
Designated13 September 1972[1]
Reference no.1383153
Location of Church of St Thomas in Somerset

The Church of St Thomas in Wells, Somerset, England, was built in the 1850s. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

History

The church was built during 1856 and 1857.[1] It was extended by Samuel Sanders Teulon in 1864.[1]

The church commemorates the work of Richard Jenkyns the Dean of Wells who had cared for the poor in the east of the city.[2]

In 2017 the refurbishment of the church included the installation of a servery and community room, which will be used for concerts and other events.[3]

The parish is part of the benefice of Wells St Thomas with Horrington within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.[4]

On 18 February 2022, during Storm Eunice, the tip of the church's spire fell to the ground.[5] The spire was restored with reinforcement added to stop it falling over in the future.[6]

Architecture

The polychromatic stone building has Doulting stone dressings and a slate roof. It consists of a five-bay nave, chancel, south aisle and a north porch. Beneath the tower and spire are the vestry and organ chamber.[1]

The stained glass is by William Wailes.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Church of St Thomas". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  2. ^ "History of St Thomas Church". St Thomas, Wells. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  3. ^ "St Thomas's Church celebrates new Place 'n Space this weekend". Diocese of Bath and Wells. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  4. ^ "St Thomas". A Church Near You. Church of England. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Storm Eunice: Somerset church spire brought down by winds". BBC News. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Wells church spire restored after Storm Eunice damage". BBC News. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.