List of new churches by Thomas Rickman


Thomas Rickman was a self-taught English architect known for his work in the Gothic Revival style. His architectural career spanned Liverpool and Birmingham, where he designed new churches, restored and altered existing ones, and worked on various other projects, including country houses, public buildings, schools, and banks.
Rickman was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Initially trained in medicine, he practiced in Lewes, Sussex, from 1801 to 1803. However, he soon left this career, working in London with a corn factor before moving to Liverpool in 1808 to work as an insurance clerk. It was during this time that Rickman developed a keen interest in Gothic architecture.
In Liverpool, Rickman met John Cragg, an iron foundry owner. Together, they designed three churches using cast iron for both construction and decoration. He also collaborated with John Slater on the redesign of Scarisbrick Hall. In 1817, he opened an architectural office in Liverpool, and the following year he was joined by Henry Hutchinson, initially as a pupil, and from 1821 as a partner. Meanwhile, in 1817 he published the first edition of An Attempt to Discriminate the Styles of English Architecture. In this he divided English architecture into styles that have continued to be accepted since, namely Norman, Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular.
Rickman's involvement with the Church Commissioners led him to design several Commissioners' churches, beginning with St. George's Church in Birmingham. He opened an office in Birmingham in 1820 and moved there the following year. He was appointed architect to Worcester Cathedral and, with his partner Henry Hutchinson, started working on New Court at St John's College, Cambridge, his most significant commission. In 1830, Rickman was elected to the Society of Antiquaries of London, marking his professional recognition. After Hutchinson's death in 1831, R. C. Hussey joined Rickman's practice, becoming a partner in 1835. Rickman died from liver disease in 1841.
This list contains details of new churches designed by Thomas Rickman.

Key

NameLocationPhotographDateNotesGrade
St George's ChurchEverton, Liverpool, Merseyside
1813–14Built by John Cragg using much cast iron made in his own foundry.I
St Michael's ChurchSt Michael's Hamlet, Liverpool, Merseyside
1814Built in conjunction with John Cragg, using much cast iron made in his own foundry.I
St Philip's ChurchLiverpool, Merseyside1815–16Built in conjunction with John Cragg, using much cast iron made in his own foundry. Demolished in 1882.
St George's ChurchBirmingham,
West Midlands
1819–21Demolished. The gates and gate piers remain and are listed.II
St George's ChurchBarnsley, South Yorkshire
1821Demolished 1993. The churchyard walls, railings, gate piers and gates, also listed, remain.II
St Mary's ChurchBirkenhead, Merseyside
1821The church was declared redundant in 1975, and was partly demolished.II
St Barnabas' ChurchErdington, Birmingham, West Midlands
1822–23A Commissioners' church.II
Christ ChurchGloucester
1822–23Designed with Henry Hutchinson.II
St George's ChurchChorley, Lancashire
1822–25A Commissioners' church.II*
St Peter's ChurchPreston, Lancashire
1822–25A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson. Now redundant and, as of 2012, part of the University of Central Lancashire.II*
Church of St Peter ad VinculaHampton Lucy, Warwickshire
1822–26Designed with Henry Hutchinson and described as their magnum opus.I
St Paul's ChurchPreston, Lancashire
1823–25A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson. Now redundant and, as of 2012, in use as a radio station.II
St Peter's ChurchDale End, Birmingham,
West Midlands		1825–27A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson. Demolished 1899.
St Mary's ChurchMellor, Lancashire
1825–27A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson.II
St Andrew's ChurchOmbersley, Worcestershire
1825–29For the Marchioness of Downshire, designed with Henry Hutchinson.II*
St Thomas' ChurchBirmingham,
West Midlands
1826–29A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson in neoclassical style. It was bombe in 1941 and only the west front has survived.II
St James' ChurchLower Darwen, Lancashire
1827–28A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson. Rebuilt and replaced 1969.
St Peter's ChurchDarwen, Lancashire
1827–29A Commissioners' church, designed with Henry Hutchinson.II*
St John the Evangelist's ChurchOulton, West Yorkshire
1827–29Designed with Henry Hutchinson.II*
Christ ChurchCarlisle, Cumbria1828–30A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson. Damaged by fire in 1938, demolished 1952.
Holy Trinity Church
Carlisle, Cumbria
1828–30A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson. Demolished 1981.
St John's ChurchWhittle-le-Woods, Lancashire
1829–30Designed with Henry Hutchinson. Replaced in 1880–82.
Holy Trinity ChurchLawrence Hill, Bristol
1829–32A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson. It is now redundant.II*
St Mary's ChurchTiddington, Oxfordshire
1830A small church for the Hon. Frederick Bertie.II
Christ ChurchCoventry,
West Midlands		1830–32A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson. Bombed; only the medieval spire remains.
St John the Divine's ChurchPemberton, Wigan, Greater Manchester
1830–32A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson.II
St David's ChurchHaigh, Greater Manchester
1830–33A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson.II
St Mary's ChurchLower Hardres, Kent
1831–32Designed with Henry Hutchinson.II
St Stephen's ChurchTockholes, Lancashire
1831–33A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson. Replaced in 1965–66, retaining only the front of the south porch.
All Saints ChurchHandsworth, Birmingham,
West Midlands		1832–33A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Hutchinson. Chancel added 1881; since demolished.
St Matthew's ChurchCotham, Bristol
1833–35II
Church of Our Lady of Mount CarmelRedditch, Worcestershire
1834II
Emmanuel ChurchCharnwood, Leicestershire
1835–37A Commissioners' church.II
All Saints ChurchStretton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire
1835–37II*
Church of the Holy AscensionSettle, North Yorkshire
1836–38II
St. Stephen's ChurchSneinton, Nottingham
1837–39Designed with R. C. Hussey. Of their design the tower and part of the south transept remain, the rest being replaced in 1909–12.II
Christ ChurchClevedon, Somerset
1838–39Designed with R. C. Hussey.II*