St Thomas' Brampton and St Peter's Holymoorside, Chesterfield
St Thomas' Interior
Our vision statement: Sharing the love of Jesus



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Parish History
St Thomas' opened in July 1831. It was originally built with just a nave. There was no chancel as there is today just a recess at the east end where the altar was situated. The nave is 70 feet long, 46 feet wide and 27 feet high.

There were originally box pews, which were later replaced by open pews in 1887.

Over the years the chancel was added in 1871, a balcony at the rear was build and later removed in 1903. A Lady Chapel put in. The entrance to the balcony was replace by the 'George Window' in 1938.

Today the walls of the church are white, with the old wood of the box pews around the walls. However over the years they had been multi-coloured. The ceiling of the nave was decorated in 1903 and is very unusual with the memorable words of St Thomas' 'My Lord and My God' on it.

In 1999 a major re-ordering took place. Chairs replaced pews, the lady chapel and the pulpit was removed and a platform was built at the east end of the nave and a wooden Holy Table placed on it.

On this page are pictures of the interior of St Thomas' Church from 1885 to the present day.



interior
The interior in 1885. It shows how the church was with the box pews and before the chancel was built. The organ is different from today. The walls and ceilings are plain.





interior

The interior in 1930. It shows the chancel, open pews, the organ in the chancel, the lady chapel, pulpit and lectern. The walls are now decorated, particularly around the altar. The church was 'high church' as can be seen by the number of candles on the altar. The lights are suspended from the ceiling.





interior

The interior in 1980. It shows the chancel, open pews, the organ in the chancel, the lady chapel, pulpit and lectern. The lights in the nave are now at ceiling hight and loudspeakers can be seen. (There is a piano covered up in the middle of the chancel.)





interior

The interior before the re-ordering in 1989 The walls are now plain and the decorated ceiling can be seen. The font can be seen at the back of the church.





interior

The interior before the re-ordering in 1989 looking toward the east end of the church. The George Window can be seen above the East Door.





interior

The chancel before 1989. It was hoped to re-order the chancel but the church was not allowed to. The choir stalls now have lamps on them. The church is now more 'Low Church', as can be seen by a decrease in the number of candles on the altar.





interior

Another view of the church pre-reordering in 1989.





altar

High Altar 5 December 1927 prepared for a confirmation service. The decorations on the wall around the altar can be seen.





altar

High Altar Easter Day 1927 prepared for Easter.





altar

High Altar date unknown





pulpit
pulpit

Oak pulpit, a gift of Mr and Mrs Frederick Stanton. Installed 1887




St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
Ceiling as it is today (2010)




St Thomas interior
Organ as it is today (2010)




St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
Chancel as it is today (2010)




St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
Nave as it is today (2010) Chairs have replaced the pews, the preaching desk has replaced the pulpit. The Holy Table is placed between the Nave and the Chancel.




Induction
Induction
View of a large service (2008) It shows the choir in the Chancel and the Music Group in the South West Corner of the Nave. (Picture is from Rev Matt Barnes' Induction Service.)




Youth Ball 2009
Clues from the Deep pictures
Alternative uses for the Nave It shows the Nave set out for the 2009 Youth Ball and Holiday Club 2006




St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
The George Room Window
To the blessed and glorious memory of King George V 1930-1936




St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
The East Window
A gift of Philip Henry and Ann Elizabeth Chandler in memory of Susan Marsden (former Sunday School teacher). Installed 1891.




St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
The Scott Window
To the Glory of God and in the Memory of Thomas Scott
Died 4th August 1932 and his Wife Emma Died 26 March 1904
Also his Widow Sarah Ann Died 5th June 1935
Their Mortal Remains Rest in the Churchyard

A stained glass window on the south side of the nave.




St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
The May Window
To the Glory of God and in loving Memory of Godfrey May born June 6th 1857 died
Feb 23rd 1915 Voluntary Organist of this church twelve years erected by his wife

A stained glass window on the south side of the nave. It depicts St Thomas in the centre with King David to his left and St Cecilia to his right. It was a gift of Mrs Frances E S May in memory of her husband Godfrey Melland May, one time voluntary organist. It was installed in 1919.
St Thomas interior
St Thomas interior
List of Vicars and Rectors
Vicars
1831 -Matson Vincent    1846 -John Beridge Jebb    1863 -John Magens Mello   
Rectors
1867 -John Magens Mello    1887 -Charles Edward Little    1900 -Edward Starkie Shuttleworth    1906 -Frederick Herbert Burnside    1925 -Hubert John Sillitoe    1944 -John Dawson Hooley    1957 -Lionel William Daffurn    1974 -Vyvyan Watts-Jones    1985 -Christopher John Cokayne Frith    2003 -David Peter Mouncer    2008 -Matthew John Barnes




St Thomas interior
A memorial plaque in the chancel
To the memory of John Walter Hardy
Aged 26 years
Who lost his life by a fall at this spot
whilst employed decorating this church
July 1st 1903
"A workman who needeth not be ashamed"




St Thomas interior
Decorating c1970




St Thomas interior
The Treasurer's chart, displayed until the 1990s