Churches and Chapels of Stoke-on-Trent St Thomas C of E - Penkhull

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| examples of gravestones at St. Thomas's |

 

The hilltop village of Penkhull has a long history dating back to Saxon times and beyond; its name is Celtic in origin and almost certainly an early settlement existed here, perhaps in the form of of a hill fort. By 1695 Penkhull had a population of 421 living in 91 households; yet the village had to wait until 1842 for a church of it's own when St. Thomas's was built to the design of Scott and Moffatt. Like Holy Trinity Church in Hartshill, it reflects the middle-pointed style though in a far less elaborate manner. The west steeple has an unusual broach-spire. Church and transepts are original features although the aisles, by E.P. Warren, were not added until 1892.

St. Thomas's and Holy Trinity are proof that individual enterprise and patronage in church building did not come to an end with the intervention of the Church Commissioners. Herbert Minton's benefaction at Hartshill was mirrored by the Rev. Thomas Webb Minton, at whose expense Penkhull was finally blessed with a church.

Text from: "Six of the Best" - Richard Weir

Over the entrance door.

The stone reads:

"IN MEMORIAM
THE RESTORATION OF THIS CHURCH
WAS INSPIRED BY THE FAITH
AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF
PREBENDARY ARTHUR PERRY
VICAR OF PENKHULL 1950 1967"

 
previous: views of St. Thomas in 2000
next: some of the gravestones

questions/comments/contributions? email: Steve Birks