St Thomas' Church, Grade II* listed church in Southwark, England
St Thomas' Church is a stone building on St Thomas Street featuring traditional architectural elements and a prominent garret section extending across its upper level. Originally part of St Thomas' Hospital, the structure served as a place of worship before being converted to office space following major repairs in 2010.
The building was constructed in 1703 according to Thomas Cartwright's design and formed part of St Thomas' Hospital, which had served the area since 1212. This construction connected two centuries of medical and religious service in Southwark.
The church was originally dedicated to Thomas Becket but changed its name to Thomas the Apostle in 1538 during the English Reformation. This shift reflects how religious devotion transformed across England during that turbulent period.
The building is not open to the public for visits as it now functions as office space rather than a place of worship. You can view the exterior from St Thomas Street to appreciate its historical architecture and design.
The garret of the church contains England's oldest surviving operating theatre, rediscovered during excavations in 1957. This hidden surgical space provides insight into how operations were performed in earlier centuries under remarkably difficult conditions.
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