The altar of St Thomas Aquinas in London's Rosary Shrine stands at the top of the south aisle, under the great Willis organ. It was originally donated by Mrs Monselle in the 1890s in memory of her four sons, two of whom became Dominican friars. It is carved and ornamented in similar fashion to the three altars in the Lady Chapel, but unlike those, it was left un-gilded and un-adorned because of lack of funds. 

We hope to rectify this in 2021, as we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the arrival of the Dominican friars in England in 1221 and the establishment of our House of Studies (now called Blackfriars Hall) in Oxford. St Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar who died in 1274 is recognised as the 'Common Doctor' of the Catholic Church, and also one of the most pre-eminent philosophers and thinkers in the Western world. He is also patron of the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, a spiritual association of lay faithful who strive for the virtue of chastity and purity. The Confraternity is based in this church, and we hope to make this altar the focal point of devotion to St Thomas Aquinas for them, and also for theologians, teachers, students, and scholars, for whom St Thomas also is patron.  

As Pope St John Paul II said: "Saint Thomas is an authentic model for all who seek the truth. In his thinking, the demands of reason and the power of faith found the most elevated synthesis ever attained by human thought, for he could defend the radical newness introduced by Revelation without ever demeaning the venture proper to reason.”

Given the architectural and decorative similarities between the St Thomas Altar, and the Altars in the Lady Chapel, it would be fitting for it to receive the gilded decoration that matches the existing gilding on the altars in the Lady Chapel. The existing stonework will also be cleaned, and the marble will be polished up before it is gilded according to the plan shown in the gallery above. The work will be done by the company that recently restored our Nativity Chapel so successfully. 

Please help us. We invite you to make a contribution towards this work as an expression of thanks to God for the inspirational life and teachings of St Thomas Aquinas, and for all who have benefitted from Dominican preaching and teaching over the centuries. Holy Mass will be offered at this Altar for all Benefactors who contribute to this restoration appeal.