Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Up Holland

Church of St Thomas the Martyr is a Gothic parish church with a four-stage west tower supported by diagonal buttresses and stone walls covered in slate roofs. Inside, a four-bay nave extends between north and south aisles and the entire building is protected as a Grade I listed structure.

The building was founded in 1307 by Robert de Holland as a college for twelve secular priests and transformed into a Benedictine priory in 1319. This shift marked a turning point from secular to monastic governance of the site.

The church preserves medieval details that visitors can still observe today, such as a double basin for washing communion vessels and original stained glass fragments set into the windows. These elements reveal how worship has been conducted here across the centuries.

The site is easily accessible on foot in the centre of Up Holland and functions today as an active Anglican parish church. Visitors should know that access and opening times follow the regular worship schedule, so it is worth checking ahead.

In medieval times, the church distributed meals to around 240 poor people, serving food on plates as if they were people of high standing. The community enhanced this assistance with gifts of money or new shoes.

Location: Up Holland

Inception: 1317

Architects: Basil Champneys

Architectural style: English Gothic architecture, Gothic Revival

Website: http://stthomasthemartyr.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.54050,-2.72110

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:42