St Thomas at Northwick
The 12th century book, a “History of Gloucestershire”, records that Redwick and Northwick lay in the parish of Westbury. The church of St George, at Northwick, is shown to have been built at the end of the 11th century, though later records show the church to be in ruins by 1370. The church was rebuilt, and was re-dedicated to St Thomas in the 15th century. “In ruins” is a significant phrase, as maybe 5 separate church buildings have existed on the site. Buillt on deep layers of mud deposits from the ‘wandering’ River Severn, the church of St Thomas is not so much a building, more of a series of buildings. The Rev W Trevelyan mentions that in 1814 – the year before the battle of Waterloo – “improvements took place in the chapel”. Further thorough restoration took place in 1840. A statement relating to St Thomas records “the church reveals many cracks, despite the complete renovation in 1913, and these have been widened by the bombs which have fallen in the area between 1940 and 1941”.
Though settlement in the area was historically sparse, it was consistent, and dates back to the bronze age, with much evidence of Romano-British settlement and Saxon place names. As “St George” dates from the Norman conquest, presumably they also passed through at least. The church would provide the only local place of worship for over 500 years. By the 16th century records show that tithes were being paid to the Lord of the Manor of Henbury.
The earliest marriage recorded at St Thomas took place in 1702, though it is only from 1837 that a national recording system commenced, following the Registration Act of that year. St Thomas was among those churches licensed for the conduct of marriages, and 97 took place between 1837 and 1960. The first wedding conducted, on 18th July 1837, took place between William Phillips, 20, a Bachelor, employed as a Servant; and Elizah Richards, aged ‘above 21’, a Spinster and also a Servant. Both were listed as “resident in Northwick”. The final wedding, on 3rd September 1960, was between Ronald V Bundy, 30, a Bachelor, employed as a Shotfixer, and Sheila M Cox, 20, a Spinster and Domestic Help. RB resided at Beach Field, Severn Beach, SC at 2 Eastfield Road, Northwick. Neither of these addresses exist today! For the 92 weddings up to and including 6th June 1953 the chapel is listed in the parish of Henbury. As from the 93rd wedding, on 13th September 1958, the listing is for the parish of Pilning. The register remained at St Thomas, though unused, until 1962. At this time, the east wall having split from the chancel, the building was declared unsafe. Renovation was considered impractical and the register was surrended to the authority. It is currently held at the Register Office, Poole Court, Yate.
Redundant and damaged, the church stood empty for a number of years. Demolition (by Elms Brothers of Bristol) commenced in November 1972, the cost borne by the Church Commissioners. In April 1971 the parish council had written to the Bishop of Bristol, asking that the tower should be saved. When demolition was completed in December 1972, the parish paid costs of £658 for complete repairs to the tower. The tower, formerly used as a symbol/logo by Northwick School is now preserved by the parish council as a monument.
Note:- The register bears the notation in the back,
“In consequence of the disuse of the Church of St Thomas Northwick,
this and duplicate Marriage Register are closed at this point by direction of the Registrar General.
The duplicate register has been placed in the custody of the incumbent of St Peters Church, Pilning, Gloucestershire.
(signed) M M Turvey
for Registrar General
G R O
3.4.62
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