Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham

Old Bluecoat School, or the St Thomas’ Chapel is a Grade I listed building in the town of Thatcham in the English county of Berkshire. It is located on the main A4 road.

Old Bluecoat School
Old Bluecoat School in 2005
Location within Berkshire
Former namesSt Thomas’ Chapel
General information
StatusGrade I listed building[1]
TypeChapel
LocationThatcham, Berkshire, England
Coordinates51°24′13.89″N 1°15′4.65″W
Construction started1304
OwnerThatcham Town Council
Website
oldbluecoatschool.org.uk

History

St Thomas’ Chapel

Built in 1304,[2][3] it was designated by the Bishop of Salisbury as a chapel dedicated St Thomas for the borough of Thatcham.[4] It remained an active chapel for a quarter of a century before falling into disuse for another 150 years. An account of Lady Francis Winchcombe in the conveyance and trust deed in 1707, it was stated that it is spoken of as an old decayed chapel.[5]

Bluecoat School

In 1707, the Chapel of St. Thomas was remodeled into a school for poor boys called Winchcombe Charity, in honor of its founder Lady Frances Winchcombe.[6] It earned the name "Bluecoat" from the uniform worn by its students.[7]

References
  1. "Thatcham celebrates 20 years in the record books". BBC. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  2. "History of Thatcham, Berkshire". Royal Berkshire History. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  3. "Bluecoat School". Thatcham Historical Society. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  4. "Prehistoric Settlement- Adapted from 'Thatcham through the ages' by A.W. Proser and 'Thatcham Historical Society, 1979 Occasional Paper'". Thatcham Town Council. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  5. "St Thomas' Chapel". Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  6. "Winchcombe". Thatcham Historical Society. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  7. "Bluecoat School". Old Bluecoat School, Thatcham. Retrieved 17 April 2011.


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