The Parish History of the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough
by Kelvin Street
See the Gallery link at the top of the page for the full display of photograph photocopies
Introduction and update
This is a copy of a short-printed document I put together for Canon Wells, Vicar of St Thomas’s the Apostle Church in Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough during the early 1990s as part of the celebration of the Canon’s 40 years' service in the priesthood and the church of St Thomas the Apostle being 60 years old. Sadly, time has gone by and the church building no longer exists. Looking around the internet there seems little recorded there to celebrate the vibrant history of the church and the associated parish community so I have decided to republish this document online in remembrance of all those involved. Apologies for the photographs these are images of photos which were photocopied at the time and prior to the wonders of digital photography being available, but they do provide a hazy view of key characters in the church’s past.
Kelvin Street 20.1.23
Forward
It gives me much pleasure to commend this publication on the history of the parish of St Thomas the Apostle, Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough, by Mr Kelvin Street, M. A. 1994 marks the 60th anniversary of the dedication of this parish church (the new parish being carved out of Holy Trinity parish, North Ormesby).
Considerable research and study have gone into this work which will be a worthy memoir of this important year in the life of the parish. My wish is that it will reach many readers especially those who know and love Saint Thomas the Apostle Church. Consequently, it is a joy to me to have been asked to write this Foreword.
Reverend Cannon W.A.J. Wells, B.A., TH.L., A.Ed.
Parish Priest and Vicar (1987 to 1994).
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Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank Irene Schofield for her help in providing information for Chapter One.
I would also like to thank Irene Schofield and Marjorie Bedford for providing access to their photograph collections.
Saint Thomas the Apostle
Saint Thomas was one of the 12 disciples. It was he who doubted the resurrection “unless he was to touch the wounds of the risen Lord”. After Christ’s appearance he confessed his faith in the words “My Lord and my God”, and was therefore the first to confess his divinity.
By tradition St. Thomas evangelised the Parthians, Syrians and brought the gospel to India where he was later martyred. His relics are at Ortana where they are venerated. Feast day for Saint Thomas is the 21st of December, on which day the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle, Brambles Farm was dedicated.
Preface:
1994 is the double celebration year of the 60th birthday of the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle and of the ruby jubilee of parish priest, Canon Wells’ time spent working in the priesthood. What more pleasurable way to record these two worthy achievements than to write a brief history of the church and parish of Brambles Farm.
This history remembers some of them other many characters and events which have shaped the past and present in Brambles Farm. A history of this size obviously has to leave out many of the committed and caring congregation both past and present. This record is my own interpretation of events gleaned from archive material and interviews and of course each reader will have their own memories and interpretations of the church's history. I hope by reading this document the reader will be encouraged to remember their own experiences and events of life in Saint Thomas's Church and Brambles Farm parish. May the next 60 years produce as many events and works of dedication as the last.
Kelvin Street 7.8.93.
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History of the Church of St Thomas the Apostle
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Kelvin Street Middlesbrough 2023