St Thomas Apostle

Introduction

St Thomas Apostle in Claughton on Brock, in the Diocese of Lancaster, celebrated 650 years of worship in 1998.

History

The land for the cemetery at Claughton was given to the Parish by Thomas Fitzherbert-Brockholes in 1873. The Baptistry and Belfry were added in 1883 and 1897 respectively.

In 1990 a former parish priest established Brock Valley Churches Together with a fellow cleric. In the vestibule under the gallery is a painted Water stoup whose upper part appears to be C17 and is inscribed 'AW 1699'. The church dates from 1794, although the facade is said to be of 1835.

The original chapel was built of stone, 56 feet long and 36 across, with windows 11 feet tall containing plain glass. The chapel originally had side galleries as well as one at the rear of the nave, and it is said that 700 people could be seated when it was first opened.

Architecture and furnishings

The facade has clasping pilasters, a cornice with blocking course and central cross, and three keyed lunette windows lighting the gallery. A central single-storey ashlar porch has a moulded pediment and a doorway with round head, keystone, and impost band. The side windows have plain stone surrounds with round heads and impost band and later C19 Venetian tracery. Inside the porch there is an inner doorway with an architrave and a Latin inscription below a pediment.

An oval plaque is inscribed 'MDCCXCIV'. A west gallery is carried on fluted columns. At the east attached marbled Corinthian columns support an entablature above which is a decorated cove. The church is rendered with sandstone dressings and a slate roof.

A very fine altar, originally made by Gillows for Mains Hall, stands at the back of the church. Tea and coffee are served at the back of church after Mass.