Friends of Newport Minster - Welcome to the Minster Church of Sts Thomas, Newport

The Friends are raising funds to renew and restore Newport Minster

The vision of the appeal is to establish Newport Minster as a vibrant religious and cultural centre at the heart of the Island.

The project, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will share the Minster’s long and fascinating heritage with local people and visitors to the Island of all faiths and none.

New learning and wellbeing activities will provide exciting opportunities for the local community, and encourage regeneration of the area.

The Friends of Newport Minster aim to help by fundraising and providing support to the church. Gifts help in four key areas :

Restoration
Restoring the crumbling stonework on the outside of the building.
Reordering
Creating a flexible space inside for services and events together with good facilities for those who attend them.
Publicity
Promoting services and other activities by supporting the church with publicity both online and on paper.
Fundraising and Administration
Providing administration for external fundraising from Trusts and other organisations as well for Friends’ activities.

You can be part of the history of the Newport Minster, providing for the whole Island community

From its beginning as St Thomas Chapel people of all walks of life have been involved in Newport Minster. Some have left legacies which are still in use today, but many are unknown. By supporting the Friends you will be part of continuing the work of the church as it serves the whole community of the Isle of Wight.

Become a Friend

Make a one-off donation to the Friends

Our Royal
Patron

Our Vice
Patrons

Susie Sheldon, Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight

Sir Barrington Cunliffe, Emeritus Archeologist

Our Royal Patron

Our Vice Patrons

Timeline of Legacies Made to the Minster

1180

Richard de Redvers, Lord of the Isle of Wight and 4th Earl of Devon caused the original church to be built as a chapel to St Mary’s church in Carisbrooke.

1630

Captain Eustace Mann, owner of Osborne Manor (which became Osborne House) gave various silver items for use in the church which we still have.

1631

Stephen March, Mayor of the Borough, gave the pulpit. His coat of arms can be seen on the back.

1637

Mrs Anne Keith, a widow, gave the old font to the church.

1735-49

James Gumm (chorister) gave a gilded dove for the pulpit canopy. The Right Honourable Viscount Boyne gave a fire engine (fire engines were housed in the old church). Mrs Mary Greenwell gave a damask tablecloth, napkins and embroidered cushion for the communion table.

1854

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were significant benefactors when the church was rebuilt. Queen Victoria commissioned the memorial to Princess Elizabeth but many ordinary people also contributed to the rebuilding. Over £3,000 was raised by giant bazaars, worth over £300,000 today!

1960

An unknown parishioner gave the silver cross and candlesticks in the Lady Chapel in memory of his mother around 1960.

2006

The current appeal was launched to restore the crumbling stonework on the outside of the church and to create a flexible space inside for worship and other community events. Over £1,000,000 has been raised so far.

2008

The Isle of Wight Council paid for a new clock face for the southern side of the tower.