Roman Catholic Church Of St Thomas More

The Roman Catholic Church of St Thomas More, built between 1854 and 1855 by Thomas Fuller of Bath, is a prominent feature in the townscape of Bradford-on-Avon. Originally constructed to house the Town Hall and Council Offices, the church is made of ashlar and occupies a corner site. Its main entrance is set diagonally across the corner and is highlighted by a tall octagonal tower topped with an onion dome, which supports a ball and weathervane. The tower features a moulded cornice below the dome adorned with finely carved grotesques at the angles, and each face of the tower has triple sound-holes. The octagonal section transitions to a square base with parapets, large corner finials, and Jacobean-shaped gablets. A clock is positioned on a raised field directly above the entrance, which is framed by a deep broken cornice. Above the entrance, a large 3-light mullioned window rises through the cornice. The main entrance itself has a large flattened 4-centred arch with multiple mouldings and a hood-mould featuring heraldic label-stops, along with a triangular fanlight and double wooden doors accessed by four steps. A circular device with a shield and the date 1854 is located above the doorway. The church forms a group with all the listed buildings in Church Street, including The Chantry and Little Chantry, as well as several other properties along Barton Orchard and Newtown.