Somercotes: St Thomas

Name:
Somercotes: St Thomas
Record Type:
Church
Church code:
612018
Diocese:
Derby
Archdeaconry:
East Derbyshire
Parish:
St.Thomas, Somercotes

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?
This is not a Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?
There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

The church is not in a Conservation Area

Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?
This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
 

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:
Victorian/Pre-WWI

Exterior Image

Work in progress - can you help?

Summary Description

St Thomas’ is a fine example of a medium-sized, late Victorian Gothic style, nave and transept church, of brick and stone. A crafted amalgam of new and old, the building contains nothing of the original Methodist chapel. Situated on Nottingham Road (B600), in upper Somercotes, it is a local landmark, and commands a graceful and reassuring presence in the village. The church is unusual in that the chancel is at the west end. The church is set back from the road, bounded by a stone wall of some 6 foot with a formal wrought-iron gated entrance which leads into a grassed and treed area of churchyard, no longer containing headstones. In front of the church on this side (east) is a simple white marble cross War Memorial erected in 1927. The entrance porch is situated on the south side of the church. Sloping down from the south side of the church is a small car park and the Village Hall (c. 1970s). The Hall is owned by the church, but is currently rented out to Somercotes Parish Council. On all other sides, the church is encompassed by the churchyard, tended by Amber Valley Borough Council; the bulk of it lies to the west of the church, comprising 1.565 acres. Burials ceased in 1965 but ashes can still be interred. The graves date back to the 1850s; most of the gravestones have been re-located to the south-west corner of the churchyard (some standing, some laid horizontally) though a few larger curbed graves remain in their original positions. This has created a tranquil area of grass, mature trees, shrubs and pathways, which provides a green oasis for people and wild life and a restful backdrop for the church itself. A monument to workers killed in an industrial accident at Pye Bridge in 1893 is at the rear of the churchyard and was renovated by the Parish Council in 2018.

Visiting and Facilities

The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
 

Church Website

Church Website:
Work in progress - can you help?

Sources and Further Information

Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/13160/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~94956~114698 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan and Gallery

ICBS File Number - 04558

Coverage - 1852-1854

Created by ?PENSON, Richard Kyrke: b. c.1815 - d. 1885 of Chester;BARBER, Robert: fl. 1837-60 of Eastwood

Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 1 Bell [Archive/Index]
1 Bell