The Roman Catholic Church of Ss Thomas and Elizabeth Thurnham lies some 5 miles south of Lancaster in the Diocese of Lancaster. The Parish was founded in 1785 and was originally in the Diocese of Liverpool. The present building was consecrated in 1848. A report on the Consecration of the church in 'The Tablet' (9th. September. 1848) stated that the churchyard 'is laid out with much picturesque beauty and effect, being covered with soft grassy turf, and planted with poplars, box and yew trees, those venerable appurtenances of 'the field of the dead,' shady lanes and serpentine walks lead from the sacred edifice to the Hall. The situation, from its silence and retirement amidst the deep woods which surround Thurnham Hall, is admirably adapted for contemplation and prayer.'

The church serves the Catholic communities of Thurnham, Ashton, Condor Green, Forton, Glasson Dock and Cockerham with an approximate head count of 132. In the year ending December 2005, the Parish celebrated one baptism and one marriage and there were two deaths. The parish is rural in nature, the highest population concentrations being in Glasson Dock, Cockerham and Forton. Year round, there are a number of visitors from Thurnham Hall (holiday apartments) and in the summer, there are also regular visitors from the local holiday caravan sites. Since November 2001 (when Father Peter Foulkes, parish priest of St. Bernadette's Church, Bowerham, was appointed priest in charge), a significant fraction of the congregation, has been made up of parishioners from St. Bernadette's.

The average Mass attendance is in the region of 68.

Church Services
Mass is celebrated at 9:00am on Sundays. A Children's Liturgy is celebrated once a month.
The Saturday Vigil Mass is celebrated at 6:30pm at St. Bernadette's Church, Bowerham where a later Sunday mass (11:00am) is also celebrated.
Details of other local churches, schools and societies can be found at the Diocesan web-site, where a comprehensive list of links to other web-sites of interest can be found.

If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, please ask Father Peter about the R.I.C.A programme (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) or visit the Catholic Enquiry Office web-site.

How to find us
The church is located almost 5 miles south of Lancaster off the A588. Access to the church is gained using the signed private road to Thurnham Hall to the east of the A588.
Travelling from Lancaster on the A588, this private road is set in on the left hand side and is flanked by a short stone wall, almost immediately opposite a well-disguised wooden bus shelter, one mile south of the Stork Public House at Condor Green. A location map can be found from the Directory page of the Diocesan web-site by scrolling down to find THURNHAM.
The church is served by the Number 89 bus ( Lancaster-Knott End via Glasson Dock) although this does entail a (sometimes muddy) half-mile walk from Thurnham Hall gate. Further travel information can be obtained from Lancaster City Council .

How to contact us
Priest-in-charge: Father Peter Foulkes (e-mail : peterfoulkes at talktalk.net )
Phone 01524 63000
Ss Thomas and Elizabeth RC Church, Thurnham, Nr. Lancaster LA2 0DT

Forthcoming Events

Fund Raising Meeting: Wednesday 7th May , 7:00pm in church. All welcome!

Joint Churches Open Air Songs of Praise with Blackpool Brass, Sunday 25th May, 5pm, Dalton Arms Car Park, Glasson Dock (in Glasson Village Hall if wet). All welcome!

Parish Council Meeting: Wednesday 11th June at 7:00pm in church. All welcome!

Parish Summer Fair: Sunday 22nd June in the church grounds. All welcome!

The outstanding parish debt to the diocese has been repaid in full . The total amount spent on the building repairs to date is £85,565.09. We are very grateful to English Heritage for a grant of £47,355.73 towards this work and to all who have donated their time, talents, energy and money to the fund. Many thanks to all concerned.