Church Of St Thomas

596/2/93 ST THOMAS'S SQUARE 01-OCT-53 CHURCH OF ST THOMAS

GV I

Parish Church, rebuilt 1854-5 by S W Dawkes of Cheltenham, in Decorated style retaining Pugin influence. Large and sited in the centre of the square with a prominent west tower. Rubble with ashlar dressings, the stone work is considerably weathered. Diagonal buttresses to tower and buttresses flanking aisles which have separate roofs and embrace the tower. Fine west door with good sculptural decoration to tall ogee arch. Good early Victorian interior which retains a number of very fine C17 furnishings. Font of 1636, small bowl with cover on very heavy large scrolls. Pulpit also of 1636 by the Fleming Thomas Caper, with upper panels representing the Seven Virtues, the bottom panels the Seven Liberal Arts bracketed bookrest, back panels and tester. The Reading Desk is made up of parts of the original Screen. Contemporary with the Pulpit and probably also by Caper. Alabaster monument to Sir Edward Horsey d 1582 recumbent effigy on a half-rolled-up map, (affinities with the later monument of Sir John Oglander in Brading Church IOW) strap work background, flanked by 2 columns, crowned by 3 achievements. Princess Elizabetg daughter of Charles I, who died in Carisbrooke Castle qv is buried here: white marble recumbent effigy by Baron Marochetti given by Queen Victoria in 1856. Memorial to Prince Albert with head in profile also by Marochetti. Above Chancel arch very elaborate Royal Arms of Queen Victoria decorated with flags.

Listing NGR: SZ4997589144