St Thomas More, Bradford-on-Avon
Encyclopedia
Located near the historic Town Bridge and opposite the Swan Hotel (AD. 1500) and the Dandy Lion Pub, the Catholic Church of St. Thomas More is a large and impressive structure. It was designed as the small town's town hall and incorporated a police department on its first floor and several other municipal services. The structure was designed by the famous Bath architect Thomas Fuller
, who would leave England in 1845 for Antigua and then Canada where he would go on to design the Langevin Block
of the Canadian Houses of Parliament and numerous other important commissions.
Although the town was small, the hall represented Bradford-on-Avon's pride in its wool market. The structural complex was put on the market in the 1930s for 3000 pounds and during the war years it hosted several dances and film screenings. The complex was purchased and the second floor's council chamber was converted into a Catholic church in the 1950s. The expense to operate such a massive complex is offset by having the municipal offices on the first floor converted into retail and utilizing the parking lot in back. A new staircase and elevator was recently constructed at the back of the former council hall, now church, to the worship area so disabled worshippers can access the site from the car park.
Thomas Fuller (architect)
Thomas Fuller was a Canadian architect.He was born in Bath, Somerset , where he trained as an architect. Living in Bath and London he did a number of projects. In 1845 he left for Antigua, where he spent two years working on a new cathedral before emigrating to Canada in 1857...
, who would leave England in 1845 for Antigua and then Canada where he would go on to design the Langevin Block
Langevin Block
The Langevin Block is an office building facing Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. As the home of the Privy Council Office and Office of the Prime Minister, it is the working headquarters of the executive branch of the Canadian government...
of the Canadian Houses of Parliament and numerous other important commissions.
Although the town was small, the hall represented Bradford-on-Avon's pride in its wool market. The structural complex was put on the market in the 1930s for 3000 pounds and during the war years it hosted several dances and film screenings. The complex was purchased and the second floor's council chamber was converted into a Catholic church in the 1950s. The expense to operate such a massive complex is offset by having the municipal offices on the first floor converted into retail and utilizing the parking lot in back. A new staircase and elevator was recently constructed at the back of the former council hall, now church, to the worship area so disabled worshippers can access the site from the car park.