Overview:

is a parish church of the Church of England located in the town of St. Thomas in Barbados. It is a part of the Diocese of Barbados which is part of Province IV of the Anglican Communion. The current parish priest is Revd. Carl A. Barron, who also serves as the archdeacon of Barbados. The church is a Grade I listed building and dates back to 1720. It is a Baroque style building and is built with brick and coral. The church contains a notable collection of monuments and is set in a beautiful park setting surrounded by tropical trees and plants. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Barbados
Prominent Features:

1. The oldest surviving Anglican church in the Caribbean, St. Thomas Parish Church was established in 1660. 2. The red bricks of St. Thomas Parish Church, which are a reminder of its long and interesting past, were brought as ballast from England by sailing ships. 3. It has a distinctive white-painted wooden interior, with an elaborate organ and balcony. 4. The building is famous for its two altars and its most striking feature is its 18th-century bell tower, which stands at the core of this historic building. 5. The bell tower is an important part of the Barbadian architectural landscape and the tallest in Barbados standing at 85 feet tall. 6. The church is also home to the Governor General of Barbados and regularly holds services throughout the year, including weddings and christenings. 7. It is a major tourist attraction in Barbados due to its long history, beautiful architecture, and its proximity to the popular St. Lawrence Gap beach. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Barbados.

History:

St. Thomas Parish Church is a beautiful and historical Anglican church located in Saint Thomas, Barbados. It was originally constructed in 1722 and is one of the oldest churches in Barbados. Throughout its 300 year history, the church has served as a central place of worship and communal gathering for the people of St. Thomas. The church was built to replace the original St. Thomas Parish Church, which was located in nearby Speightstown. By 1722, the Speightstown site had become too small for the growing parish, so construction began on a new, larger church in Saint Thomas. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Bridgetown on April 9, 1725. Many of the distinctive features of the current church were added in the 19th century. These include the tower and spire, the stained glass windows, and the marble altar by William Joseph Donkin. The church was re-consecrated in 1859, during which time some of the original architecture was also restored. St. Thomas Parish Church has long been a place of gathering for the community. In the 19th century it was the venue for many events including cricket matches, mortar firing exercises, races, and military reviews. The bell of the church was also historically used as the town fire alarm. Today, the church is an active and vibrant centre of worship. It is renowned for its beautiful architecture and stunning views of the Caribbean sea. A new pavilion was added to the grounds in 2019 and now serves as a venue for special services, concerts, and other community events. Visit one of the famous monuments of Barbados with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The St. Thomas Parish Church in Saint Thomas, Barbados is one of the oldest churches in the Caribbean. This Anglican Church dates back to 1680, when it was built by the first British settlers in the island. 2. It is believed that the church was named after the biblical figure St. Thomas, who is commonly referred to as “doubting Thomas”. 3. The church building underwent several renovations over its long history, the most recent being the reconstruction of the vestry in 2010. 4. The church is most famous for the life-sized statue of its first vicar, Reverend Henry Hawley, which proudly stands outside its doors. 5. Over the years, the church has served as a place of worship, a mental asylum, school and a house of correction. 6. St. Thomas Parish Church also houses an impressive collection of historical artifacts, which includes garments, manuscripts, photographs and more. 7. The St. Thomas Parish Church is located an hour away from the capital city of Bridgetown. It is accessible by public transportation, car or even boat. 8. The church grounds are kept beautifully maintained and are popular with area tourists and locals alike. One of the historical monuments of Barbados, it tells the story of a bygone era