St Thomas’ Church in Winchelsea is a place of worship that follows the Common Worship format, with services held every Sunday at 11am. The church features a choir that enhances the service by leading the singing of traditional hymns such as the Gloria, Sanctus, and Benedictus. Incense is typically used during services, although the church does not align itself with very high church practices. Special services are observed during significant times of the year including Easter, Remembrance Sunday, and Christmas.
The church is dedicated to St Thomas the Martyr, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in 1170. St Thomas’ Church celebrates its patronal festival around the 7th of July each year, marking the anniversary of the translation of St Thomas’ remains to a special chapel in 1220.
One of the church’s notable features includes stained-glass windows created by Douglas Strachan, a renowned artist from the Arts and Crafts era. These windows were donated by Lord Blanesburgh between 1929 and 1933 and are considered some of the finest examples of Strachan’s work in England.
Additionally, St Thomas’ Church supports various local charities and has a group known as the Friends of Winchelsea Church, which helps preserve and improve the church’s structure and its surroundings. The church is open to visitors daily.
