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Pevsner says that the church is "a 'peculiar' without a parish. It was built in 1827-30 to replace the mediaeval chapel of St. Thomas at the end of the Tyne Bridge. The design is by [the prominent northeast architect] John Dobson {see the Wiki entry Link}; the style is a personal interpretation of Early English.

The church is essentially a Georgian preaching box, with Gothic treatment. The west tower (has) very tall coupled bell openings - so tall and transparent that they give the whole tower an openwork effect {see NZ2464 : The Church of St. Thomas The Martyr, Barras Bridge / St. Mary's Place, NE1 - tower and NZ2464 : The Church of St. Thomas The Martyr, Barras Bridge / St. Mary's Place, NE1 (3)}. The interior is a large, light space, with slim quatrefoil piers from which plaster vaults with stone ribs spring over nave and aisles {see NZ2464 : The Church of St. Thomas The Martyr, Barras Bridge / St. Mary's Place, NE1 - nave}. Galleries inserted in 1837 interrupt the flowing lines, but provided the seating that became necessary as the suburbs grew" {see NZ2464 : The Church of St. Thomas The Martyr, Barras Bridge / St. Mary's Place, NE1 - north aisle and gallery and NZ2464 : The Church of St. Thomas The Martyr, Barras Bridge / St. Mary's Place, NE1 - south aisle and gallery}.

The church is dedicated to Thomas Becket, c. 1118 (or 1120) – 1170, who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Catholic and Anglican Churches. He engaged in conflict with Henry II of England over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III. {For more info see the Wiki entry Link }.

Some older photos of the church can be found at Link . See also the Wiki entry Link .