Former names St Thomas’ Chapel Owner Thatcham Town Council Status Listed building | Type Chapel Phone +44 7914 321681 Construction started 1304 | |
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Location Thatcham, Berkshire, England Address Chapel St, Thatcham RG18 4JT, UK Similar Kennet School, Chequers, The Parish Church of Saint Mar, Thatcham Court Nursing, Regent Lettings | ||
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.
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St Thomas’ Chapel
Built in 1304, it was designated by the Bishop of Salisbury as a chapel dedicated St Thomas for the borough of Thatcham. 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.
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. It earned the name "Bluecoat" from the uniform worn by its students.