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Winchelsea - St. Thomas's Church

Positioned fittingly in the centre of Winchelsea is the Church dedicated to St Thomas the Martyr of Canterbury. The church was built at the same time as the Town itself but we cannot be sure whether the whole of it was ever built. Today only the chancel and chapels remain and form the church.

It was the wealthiest of the three churches and is renowned for its 20th century stained glass windows and the mediaeval Alard tombs. Archbishop Robert de Winchelsea was born in old Winchelsea in 1230 and became Archbishop of Canterbury. He officiated at the marriage of Edward I to Margaret daughter of Phillip III of France. He died in 1315 and is buried in Canterbury Cathedral.

The relentless decay of the Town affected the church and for hundreds of years after the French had invaded and sacked the Town the church remained in a deplorable state. But in 1850 the perilous condition of the fabric of the church was realised and extensive repairs were carried out.  Today it stands well restored, well used and much cared for.

You will also find among its many treasures a modern tapestry – the Millennium Tapestry – created by over twenty women of the Town to celebrate that occasion and record the face of the Town as it is today.

There is a guidebook on sale in the church that gives a full account of the history of the church.



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