History in Structure

Old Church of St Peter

A Grade II* Listed Building in Thornaby-on-Tees, Stockton-on-Tees

Thornaby Old Church from the South-west

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Here at the west end of the church are two heavy buttresses of two stages, probably of 15th-century date. Over the west doorway is the head of a two-light window with rounded lights apparently of late 15th or early 16th-century date.

The church of ST. PETER AD VINCULA is of late 12th-century date, and consisted originally of a chancel and aisleless nave, but the chancel has disappeared, probably in the 18th century. The internal dimensions of the nave are 40 ft. by 17 ft. 6 in., but the walls, although in a great measure ancient, have been a good deal repaired, and vary in thickness in different parts. There is a bell-turret over the west gable containing two bells. The roof is covered with modern red pantiles.

HISTORICAL NOTES: The Anglican parish church on the village green is believed to be of 12th century origin but a place of worship is said to have existed at the time of the Domesday Book of 1086. The unusual dedication to St. Peter ad Vincula ("St. Peter in chains") is derived from the ancient Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome. The building, with a simple nave and a bell turret with two bells, was originally dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. Grace Pace, the mother of Captain James Cook, was baptised at St. Peter's in 1702.
It is said that Robert de Thormodbi, wounded in the Crusades at Acre, swore to raise a shrine to the Virgin Mary if he survived his wounds. He did, and as part of his wish, a shrine niche to the Virgin Mary, lit by five sanctuary lamps was placed in St. Peter's Church.

Uploaded by Antony Cairns on 9 July 2011

Photo ID: 16801
Building ID: 101139917
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