THE Anglican church at the heart of the Isle of Wight has been designated a ‘minster’ church.

The Minister Church of Sts Thomas in Newport

Sts Thomas Church in Newport has been granted the honorary title to reflect its important role in island and civic life. It will now be known as the Minster Church of Sts Thomas, Newport.

The Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Kenneth Stevenson, agreed to the change after his Bishop’s Council heard about the huge range of ecumenical, civic and diocesan events that take place there.

The church’s 700-seat capacity and its location at the centre of the town allows it to host large funerals, concerts, exhibitions, regimental services and awards ceremonies. And its proximity to the Isle of Wight Council offices means it has become the island’s civic church.

Bishop Kenneth said: “Because of its great capacity, its position and its part in public events, Sts Thomas enjoys a special place in the hearts of islanders and visitors to the island, as it has for 800 years.

“Sts Thomas has daily opportunities to be available to the whole island community, not just those who go to church. It plays a leading role in celebrations of worship and memorials, christenings, weddings and funerals, the great events in civic and family life. It is a centre for prayer, for pastoral care and cultural activity.

“The church is increasingly active in the civic life of the island, and much credit for the increasing engagement with the voluntary and civic sectors of the island must go to the present incumbent, Canon Stephen Palmer, whose energy and commitment is central to all that has so far been achieved.

“Minster was a term used during Anglo-Saxon times for a major church from which other smaller churches were founded. Examples of the name surviving today include Beverley Minster and York Minster, which is also a cathedral. It has been revived in recent times for a major parish church in a distinct area of the diocese some distance from the cathedral – Sunderland was the first, in 2000. The revival of the title, however, must be understood to be about service, not status.”

The change has the support of the Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major-General Martin White, and his deputy lieutenants; the chairman, leader and chief executive of the Isle of Wight Council; the PCC of Sts Thomas, Newport; the rural deans of East and West Wight; and the Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, the Ven Caroline Baston.

There are no duties or privileges attached to becoming a minster – the title is purely honorary. But it does acknowledge its role within the island community as a whole, and the title will make a difference to its fund-raising opportunities.

The £2m appeal to renew and develop the church was launched in 2005 with the backing of HRH the Earl of Wessex. The first phase, repairs to the Princess Elizabeth Chapel, were completed last year. The second phase, which involves the conservation of the tower, means that the church’s tower and clock will disappear behind scaffolding this spring and summer. For more information, see www.newportparish.org.uk.