Church of St Thomas, St Anne's-on-the-Sea

Austin and Paley won a competition of the church in 1893 and a site was given by John Talbot Clifton, the Squire of Lytham at the junction of Central Drive South and St Thomas’s Road. The whole of the immediate area of the site was in those days covered by sand dunes, the houses in St Thomas's Road having yet to be built. However, progress was slow.

Work finally began in clearing and levelling the sand in 1898 and on 5th April, 1899 the foundation stone was laid. It had been decided to build only part of the church consisting of chancel, vestries and as much of the nave as would accommodate about 400 people. So successful were the efforts to raise money for the Building Fund that it was decided to build rather more of the nave and increase the accommodation from 400 to 670. As the building now stands, this represents the first four bays of the nave.  This part of the building was consecrated by the Rt Revd James Moorhouse, Bishop of Manchester, in whose diocese St Anne's then was, on June 22nd, 1900. In October 1904 the completion of the rest of the building was undertaken. The two westward bays were added to the nave and the present west-end and the tower were built. These additions were dedicated a year later, in November 1905, by the Rt Revd E.A. Knox, Bishop of Manchester. Externally the church was built of a fiery red Accrington brick and Darley Dale stone.

NEW CHURCH, ST. ANNE’S-ON-THE-SEA, LANCASHIRE - The parishioners of St. Anne’s-on-the-Sea have selected the design and plans for the new Church of St. Thomas, about to be built on the Drive, at St. Anne’s, at the south or Lytham side of the town. Three designs were received, and, after some discussion, that sent in under the device of a ring and a dove was selected. On opening the sealed envelope which accompanied the design, this was found to be by Messrs. Paley, Austin, and Paley, of Lancaster. The new church, the cost of which will be £6,000, is to be in the late Decorated style, and will have its floor level raised some feet above the surrounding streets, on a terrace. The number of sittings is 600. [Builder 28 January 1893 page 69]

ST. ANNES-ON-SEA - The new church of St. Thomas, on the South Drive, St. Annes-on-the Sea, has been consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester. The church is Late Fourteenth Century in style. It consists of a chancel and nave, with an organ chamber on the north side. As at present built, the church is 102 feet long (the chancel taking up about 34 feet), and when completed two more bays and a tower and porch will be added to the west end. Seating accommodation is provided for about 600 persons, and this will eventually be increased to 800 sittings. The exterior and interior are faced with Accrington brick, with stone dressings. The stone used in the outside walls is from Darley Dale, and in the interior Runcorn flecked stone is employed. The architects are Messrs. Austin and Paley, of Lancaster, and the contractors Messrs. Smith Brothers, Burnley, and Messrs. Hatch and Sons, Lancaster.  [Building News 6 July 1900 page 9]

CHURCH, ST, ANNE’S, LANCASHIRE — The Bishop of Manchester visited St. Anne’s-on-the-Sea on the 22nd ult. for the purpose of consecrating St. Thomas’s Church. The Church consists of a chancel and nave, with an organ-chamber on the north side. As at present built, it is 102 feet long (the chancel taking up about 34 feet), and when completed two more bays will be added to the west end, which is now of a temporary character. Seating accommodation is provided for about 600 persons, and this will eventually be increased to Soo sittings. The exterior and interior are faced with Accrington brick, with stone dressings. The stone used in the outside walls is from Darley Dale, and in the interior Runcorn decked stone is employed. The choir-stalls, the Communion table, and the pulpit are of oak, carved; while the other woodwork, including the seats in the nave, is unvarnished pitch-pine. The floor of the chancel is laid with encaustic tiles, and the flooring of the nave is formed of solid wood blocks. The windows are filled with stone tracery, and the interior roof is of pitch-pine. There is vestry accommodation, and a temporary porch, with baptistry, has been provided at the west end. The church will be lighted throughout by electricity. The cost up to the present has been about £6,000, the uncompleted portion of the scheme including a tower and porch at the west end, in addition to the extra bays already referred to. The architects are Messrs. Austin & Paley, of Lancaster, and the contractors Messrs. Smith Brothers, Burnley, and Messrs. Hatch & Sons, Lancaster. [Builder 7 July 1900 Page 15]

Reference    Building News 27 January 1893 Page 150
Reference    Building News 6 July 1900 page 9
Reference    Builder 7 July 1900 Page 15
Reference    "A History and Description of St Thomas's Church, St Anne's-on-the-Sea," by A.J. Cave (Assistant Priest 1965 to 1968). Additional material by Peter Watson.