St. Thomas’ campus comprises three acres of Snell Isle, a beautiful historic area of St. Petersburg near Tampa Bay. The main church, adorned with beautiful stained-glass windows, seats 350 people. This building also includes a 40-seat chapel, a Sacristy and a Flower Guild Room. Adjoining the main Church Building is The Baynard Center for Ministry, which houses clergy and staff offices. It also includes the Choir Room, Nursery, Library, Vesting Room and the Founders' Room. Adjacent to the Baynard Center is Belcher Hall, which houses the Parish Hall, Kitchen and Guild Room. There is also a Youth Room as well as the classrooms, library and courtyard of the Canterbury School of Florida. The lushly landscaped church grounds include the Curry Memorial Garden and Columbarium and the Carey Labyrinth with a sculpture of Thomas, the parish's patron saint. Highlights of the campus include:
| Our Garden | Our Columbarium | The Canterbury School of Florida, Hough Campus |
The Curry Memorial Garden, designed to convey beauty, peace and reverence, was made possible by a gift from the Curry family and the George B. Curry Jr. Trust. Its current splendor belies the fact that the space was once simply a nondescript circular driveway with a flagpole in the center. Dedicated in 1989, the garden was given in memory of George B. "Mac'' Curry Jr., one of the church's founders and benefactors. The centerpiece of the garden is the Celebration fountain. It is a replica of a fountain in Milan, Italy, and was made in Birmingham, Alabama. The garden also includes statues of the Four Seasons, a statue of Jesus and the Children by Robert Hodgell, a birdbath and a Rebekah at the Well fountain at the entrance to the church building. Benches throughout the garden are for visitors' rest and viewing. The garden was refurbished in 2000 and today is the setting for liturgical ceremonies, church receptions, coffee hours and leisurely strolls.
Columbarium in early Rome meant, simply, a nesting place for doves. But when Christians relegated to Rome's catacombs began using cliffside niches to seal away ashes of the faithful who died, "columbarium" took on its present meaning -- compartments for storage of cremated remains. Thus, The St. Thomas Columbarium holds true to Christian heritage while accommodating those who choose the sanctity of their church as an enduring place of rest. Columbarium niches are reserved for use by St. Thomas' members and their families, as well as friends of St. Thomas. Each niche is designed to accept two metal urns. Contact us for more information or to request an application.
Youngsters from families of various religious backgrounds can be seen playing at St. Thomas on most school days. That's because we are the school home of approximately 200 pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade pupils of the Canterbury School of Florida, an independent school affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida. Chaplaincy for their weekly Chapel is provided by the St. Thomas' clergy, John Suhar and Chris Schuller.
For more information on the Canterbury School, which provides an excellent educational opportunity, please visit http://www.canterbury-fl.org/.
Our Campus
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