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
Church of St Thomas, Wells is located in Somerset
Church of St Thomas, Wells
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

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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

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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

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References

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  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.
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