WELCOME TO
ST MARTIN'S CHURCH
THOMPSON
St Martin’s History
Thompson is an ancient settlement dating from the 10th century and the church of St Martin dates from approximately 1300. Our timeline shows a fascinating history since its endowment as a Collegiate Church in 1349 and the building of the college in which six priests resided. Several influential people have been associated with the church, including John Pory, who was born in Thompson in 1572 and became the first Speaker of the first Legislative Assembly in Virginia, and Prince Frederick Duleep Singh who helped save the church 100 years ago.
Our church is once again in need of help. The work to the nave roof was much more extensive, complex & unfortunately more expensive than we expected and as a result we have had to postpone works to the chancel roof, which is likely to be suffering from the same issues as the nave, and also the below ground rain water drainage system, without which the fabric of the church will not fully dry out. This is before we start on the interior....
Welcome Vanessa!
We are delighted to tell you that after an interview on Friday 15th March, Bishop Jane has invited the Revd Vanessa Layfield to be our next Rector (House for Duty) in the Wayland benefice and Vanessa has accepted. Bishop Graham will institute and Archdeacon Catherine will induct Vanessa to the post of Rector (House for Duty) on Thursday 4th July at 7.00pm at Holy Cross, Caston.
Please pray for Vanessa and her husband, Jonathan, as they say their ‘goodbyes’ in her present benefice and prepare to move into the diocese.
Why is St Martin's so important?
It has a rare 5 cant scissor-braced nave roof which we have recently restored.
It is a unique and largely unmodernised gem of historic importance; a Grade 1 listed mediaeval building, said to be the finest example of the Decorated style in East Anglia.
It has many unusual medieval and Jacobean features which need to be preserved.
The problem
for this unique building...
The roof structure is a rare example from the first half of the 14th century of a scissor braced roof and consists of 40 pairs of rafters. Sadly the rafter ends had rotted away and only thin clay lump walls prevented the roof from spreading. Luckily we caught the problem just in time and have repaired each of the 80 rafter ends using traditional techniques and new materials to match existing. The work was far more extensive than originally envisaged and although we had a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund we also managed to secure extra funding from many generous donors.
Your donations will:
• Help to re-focus religious and community activities in the church and its immediate surrounds.
• Enhance community cohesion and outreach (local, national and international).
• Using the church as backdrop, enable the PCC to deliver hands on experience to visitors of archaeology, history, heritage, education
and enactment.
• Secure the mediaeval fabric and associated artwork.
• Protect the environment, ecology and wildlife.
There is a lot to do, enable and deliver.
PLEASE BE GENEROUS
How you can donate
Just Giving Page
Revitalising St Martin’s Church, Thompson, Norfolk
Cash or cheque
Cheques and cash can be sent/delivered to:
The Treasurer, College Farm, College Farm Lane, Thompson, Thetford IP24 1QG
Online banking transfer (BACS)
Bank account name: Revi St Martin’s
Sort Code: 20 28 20
Account Number: 9391.4356
Latest News
Information Evening
We held an information evening in the Thompson Community Hall on Friday 16th March to update everyone with the progress of the building project. The evening was led by Richard Wolstenholme (Fabric Officer & Chair of the HLF Fundraising Committee) We held an Information Evening on Friday 16th March in the new Community Hall to…
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Grant from The All Churches Trust
Thank you very much to the All Churches Trust for their generous grant towards our project. We are very grateful for their support and the money will be out to good use!
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Grant from The Norfolk Churches Trust
Thank you very much to The Norfolk Churches Trust for their generous donation towards our project. It is very much appreciated and the money will be put to good use.
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Progress Update 22nd January 2018
There is an awful lot going on behind the scaffolding! The roof coverings have been stripped off and the first 14 trusses have been uncovered to enable the architect and engineer to work out the best method of repairing the rotten rafter ends and to strengthen the roof. After our site meeting today we…
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Happy New Year!
Happy New Year from everyone on the St Martin’s Restoration team. We hope you all had a peaceful & happy Christmas and a have healthy & happy new year. September is a long way off but we wanted to give you plenty of notice to put the date of Lavender’s Lunch in your diaries –…
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Progress Update 1st December 2017
You will be aware that work has, at last, started on the church. This follows a year long Development phase during which the architect & engineer prepared drawings & specifications which were then put out to tender. We received the go ahead from HLF in September & we have now appointed Eastern Foundry Lead Ltd…
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The Building Work Begins!
The scaffolding is going up on the north side of the church in preparation for repairs to the nave roof. Thanks to Neal Trafankowski for the photograph and to the Hertigage Lottery Fund for their financial help.
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Lavender’s lunch raises over £1,100!
We are thrilled to announce that this year a record number of people attended Lavender’s Lunch with over 120 enjoying good company, delicious home made food and plenty of wine in the garden as well as savouring the last of the summer sunshine while raising a much needed funds for the church repairs. At the…
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Lavender’s lunch – 3rd September
Lavender’s lunch will be held at College Farm on Sunday 3rd September from 12.00 noon—3.00 pm. Proceeds from this delicious homemade lunch will go towards St Martin’s Church. For tickets contact: Ann 01953 488506 Jo 01953 483144 Annabel 01953 488245 For payment by debit card: Katharine 01953 483318
Read MoreHistory timeline
Contact us
If you would like more information about the renovations or would like to discus making a donation then please write to The Treasurer St Martin's Church, c/o College Farm, Thompson, Thetford IP24 1QG, get in touch by phone on 01953 483.318 or fill in the form below.