This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: cothelstone Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.stowell/817/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Parish Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, Cothelstone, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3EB United Kingdom RESTORATION UPDATE This 13th century church which still has a service every Sunday at 11am (we still use the 1662 Book of Common Prayer), has a loyal congregation drawn from the surrounding countryside. The Parish, much of which still belongs to the Cothelstone Estate has fewer than 100 residents, but the traditional service and lovely setting attract regular worshippers from further afield as well as the occasional visitor. The church has been well looked after in the past by the two families who have owned the estate over the last 800 years. The Stawells who built the church are still represented by their monuments, tablets and a wealth of history, and one of the eighth generation of the Esdailes still owns and runs the estate. However, the last five years have seen some necessary repair work to this little church. In 2002 the tower and porch were repointed. In 2006 the roof tiles were removed, new felt put underneath, the original tiles put back and the guttering repaired to keep out the west country weather. In 2008 the church was rewired, the lighting added to and the under-pew heating replaced with a modern equivalent (not as good as the original on which you could fry eggs or the backs of your legs). All the above was paid for with money raised within the parish, two small grants from sympathetic charitable trusts, a small contribution from the Bath and Wells Diocese and an overseas donation from the Esdailes. This has amounted to nearly £45,000 and we are rather proud of ourselves for managing to do this. However, whilst parts of the church dry out (from leaks which led to the roof work) and before we repaint the inside (£10,00 has been raised in addition to do this), there is a little more we would like to do to set the church up for the next 50 to 100 years. The vestry which is at the bottom of the tower (it is a small church) is also used as the ringing chamber for the church bells. This is cold, damp and cramped and houses vestments, altar cloths, etc, cleaning equipment and everything to do with church flowers. We would like build proper cupboards for storage, put in a tap, sink and water heater and return the ringing chamber to above the base of the tower. There is also an old boiler house attached to the church which would make a good outside lavatory (some of our older congregation, the priest, cleaners and flower arrangers struggle without one). We are trying to make these changes as sensitive as possible. The essential appeal of the church is it's traditional appearance, setting and liturgy, and we do not want to alter this. For example, the curtains which separate the vestry from the nave (old but rather nice velvet were recently refurbished by one of the congregation, and are staying, though we may replace the tracking). The Diocese and English Heritage (who look after Listed Buildings) have been consulted over the carefully drawn-up plans by an approved church architect (the church is surveyed anyway every 5 years, a requirement of the Diocese as it is a Grade 1 Listed Building). We are delighted that the work has now been approved and having raised so much money locally, we are asking for contributions from those with an interest or attachment to St Thomas' at Cothelstone from further away. If you feel you may be able to help, please get in touch with the Secretary (and one of two Church Wardens) : Mrs Jane Warmington Address : The Coach House, Cothelstone, TAUNTON, Somerset, TA4 3EB, UK Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.