Jump to content

Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham

Coordinates: 51°24′13.89″N 1°15′4.65″W / 51.4038583°N 1.2512917°W / 51.4038583; -1.2512917
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is the current revision of this page, as edited by Onel5969 (talk | contribs) at 12:08, 8 July 2023 (Disambiguating links to Dedication (link changed to Dedication (ritual)) using DisamAssist.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.

(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Old Bluecoat School
Old Bluecoat School in 2005
Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham is located in Berkshire
Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham
Location within Berkshire
Former namesSt Thomas’ Chapel
General information
StatusGrade I listed building[1]
TypeChapel
LocationThatcham, Berkshire, England
Coordinates51°24′13.89″N 1°15′4.65″W / 51.4038583°N 1.2512917°W / 51.4038583; -1.2512917
Construction started1304
OwnerThatcham Town Council
Website
oldbluecoatschool.org.uk

Old Bluecoat School, or the St Thomas’ Chapel is a Grade I listed building in the town of Thatcham in the English county of Berkshire. It is located on the main A4 road.

History

[edit]

St Thomas’ Chapel

[edit]

Construction completed and opened for worship in 1304,[2][3] it was designated by the Bishop of Salisbury as a chapel dedicated St Thomas for the borough of Thatcham.[4] It remained an active chapel until some time in the 16th Century before falling into disuse for another 150 years. An account of Lady Francis Winchcombe in the conveyance and trust deed in 1707, it was stated that it is spoken of as an old decayed chapel.[5]

Bluecoat School

[edit]

In 1707, the Chapel of St. Thomas was remodeled into a school for poor boys called Winchcombe Charity, in honor of its founder Lady Frances Winchcombe.[6] It earned the name "Bluecoat" from the uniform worn by its students.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Thatcham celebrates 20 years in the record books". BBC. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  2. ^ "History of Thatcham, Berkshire". Royal Berkshire History. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  3. ^ "Bluecoat School". Thatcham Historical Society. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  4. ^ "Prehistoric Settlement- Adapted from 'Thatcham through the ages' by A.W. Proser and 'Thatcham Historical Society, 1979 Occasional Paper'". Thatcham Town Council. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  5. ^ "St Thomas' Chapel". Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  6. ^ "Winchcombe". Thatcham Historical Society. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  7. ^ "Bluecoat School". Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
[edit]