St.Thomas
church was built in 1842 just 1 years after the Primitive Methodists built the
Memorial Chapel and the same year that the Wesleyan's had their chapel built.
In "The Staffordshire Advertiser" dated 7th August 1841, an advert
was placed for builders, which read.
Persons desirous of Contracting for
the erection of the above named church may inspect the necessary Drawing Specifications,
on application, to the office of Mr Stanley. Architect, Albion Place, Shelton.
The tenders to be sealed up and enclosed to Mr Stanley, on or before Saturday,
the 21st August next. The committee do not pledge themselves to
accept the lowest tender.
The
church itself is built as you might expect from Mow Cop stone and was the first
Church of England church to be built on Mow Cop hill itself. It cost £1400
to construct; £300 of this was to come from the government. It had a seating
capacity of 500 sitting and boasted a large gallery with a well tuned organ,
built on the West Wall. The Church was consecrated in 1842, the service was
read by Rev.J.Tyson, and the communion was lead by The Lord Bishop. A collection
plate was passed during the service, which raised £108. 18s. 9d, this
money went to the costs of building the National School next to the Church.
The consecration of St. Thomas was again recorded in "The Staffordshire Advertiser".
This
neat little structure was consecrated for divine service on Tuesday week, by
the Lord Bishop of Hereford who officiated for the Bishop of this Diocese. The
locality in which this church is erected caused much interest to be excited,
for long before the appointed time the villages of Mow Cop and Harriseahead
were one scene of bustle and animation, and the Union Jack was seen flying from
the ruined tower. The weather proving favourable, and the church being erected
near the boundary of Cheshire and Staffordshire, considerable numbers were to
be seen wending their way from both counties. The church is erected on the Staffordshire
side, and but a short distance from that lofty eminence on which was formerly
erected a beacon, to warn the country from impending danger, commanding a most
extensive view.
The National
School at St.Thomas was the first school in the area. "The Board School"
(Castle Primary) was built in 1890
under the legislation from The Wolstanton School Board. St.Thomas was closed
in 1891. The pupils of St.Thomas like those of the Wesleyan Day School would
have gone to form this new school. The School building was still used as a
Sunday School up until more recent times. One more time we look at an Advert
from "The Staffordshire Advertiser", requesting builders for the National
School at St.Thomas on the 30th April 1842.
Persons
desirous of contracting for the erection of a NATIONAL SCHOOL, at Mow Cop, in
the county of Stafford, may inspect the plans and specifications on application
at the office of Mr Stanley, Architect, Grove Cottage, Shelton. The tenders
to be sent to the Rev. F. Wade, Kidsgrove, Newcastle, on or before Thursday,
the 5th of May next, to be addressed under the cover "Tender for
Mow Cop National School."
The
vicarage was the last of St. Thomas three buildings to be completed and was
sold whilst Jack Ward was vicar at the Church. It was sold to keep the running
costs down and a house further up the road was purchased, and modernised to
form the new vicarage.
