St Thomas Church, Swansea

St Thomas Church, Swansea
St Thomas Church and Spire Cafe
St Thomas Church, Swansea
St Thomas Church, Swansea Location in Swansea
51°37′19″N3°55′41″W / 51.622°N 3.928°W / 51.622; -3.928
Location	Swansea
Country	Wales
Denomination	Church in Wales
History
Status	24/7 open parish church and food bank
Founded	Late 19th century
Dedication	Saint Thomas
Dedicated	1886-90
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II
Designated	February 2004
Architect	Grenfell family of Maesteg House
Architectural type	Church
Style	Early English style
Specifications
Capacity	300
Administration
Province	Wales
Diocese	Swansea and Brecon
Deanery	Rev Steve L Bunting (Swansea St Thomas and Kilvey)
Parish	Swansea St Thomas and Kilvey

St Thomas Church is a parish church in the St Thomas district of Swansea in Wales. It is a Grade II listed building and is the only church in Swansea to operate a 24/7 congregation and food bank.

History

The church hall of St Thomas Church, also used as a food bank and a cafe called the "Spire Cafe".

The church was originally built in 1886-90 by the Grenfell family, who owned land in the area. ^{[1] [2]} It was designated a Grade II listed building in February 2004. ^[2] Its spire, at 196 ft (60 m), makes it one of the tallest buildings in Swansea. ^{[3] [4]} The church remains an active parish church in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. ^[5] In the 21st century it became the first in the area to establish a 24/7 congregation and foodbank. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

References

1. "St Thomas's Church, St Thomas, Swansea (13557)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 26 January 2025.
2. Cadw. "Church of St Thomas, Swansea (Grade II) (82482)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
3. "The Spire". St Thomas Church, Swansea. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
4. "Prince and Princess of Wales to visit St Thomas' Church". Swansea and Brecon. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
5. "Swansea St Thomas and Kilvey - The Church in Wales". www.churchinwales.org.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
6. Dalling, Robert (9 January 2019). "Why a church that only ever opened on Sundays is going 24/7". Wales Online. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
7. "St Thomas food bank". Swansea. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
8. "Swansea Foodbank". The Trussell Trust. Retrieved 14 July 2024.