Church of Holy Trinity and St George, Kendal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Holy Trinity and St George |
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| OS grid reference | SD 517,928 |
| Location | New Road, Kendal, Cumbria |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founder(s) | Thomas Wilkinson |
| Consecrated | 15 September 1837 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 30 January 1985 |
| Architect(s) | George Webster |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1835 |
| Completed | 1837 |
| Construction cost | £4,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Limestone, slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lancaster |
The Church of Holy Trinity and St George is a beautiful Roman Catholic church located on New Road in Kendal, Cumbria, England. It's still an active church today, serving the local community. This special building is officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's very important historically and architecturally.
The church was started by the local priest, Thomas Wilkinson. It was designed by a well-known architect from the area, George Webster. Experts who study buildings think this church is the best one Webster designed in Kendal.
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
Before this church was built, Roman Catholics in Kendal met in a house. Later, in 1793, a small chapel was built on the same spot. The current church replaced that older chapel. Both the chapel and the church were founded by the parish priest, Thomas Wilkinson.
The church was designed by local architect George Webster. It cost about £4,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The first stone was laid in October 1835. The church was officially opened and blessed on September 15, 1837.
Changes Over Time
The church is built close to the River Kent. Because of this, it has been flooded several times over the years. In 1908, the floor was raised to help protect it from future floods. Electricity was added to the church in 1927.
The church originally had a pipe organ made by John Davis. But this organ was damaged by floods in 1927. It was then replaced by a harmonium, which is a smaller, simpler instrument. In 1935, a different organ was brought in. This organ was renovated a few times over the years. In 2000, an electronic organ replaced it. An electronic bell system was also installed that year. The next year, more seats were added in the gallery where the old organ used to be. In 2002, the church entrance was improved with a new waiting area and lobby.
Church Design and Features
Outside the Church
The church is made from limestone with a slate roof. It is built in the Early English Gothic style, which is a type of Gothic Revival design. The church has a long main hall called a nave with six sections. It also has a porch at the front and a chancel at the back.
At the front of the church, the middle part sticks out and has a pointed top, like a triangle. This part is supported by strong, eight-sided pillars called buttresses. These pillars have pointy tops called pinnacles. Steps lead up to a pointed doorway with a decorative arch above it. Above the doorway are three tall, narrow windows called lancet windows, which are arranged in steps. There is also one lancet window on each side of the front.
In the pointed top part of the front is a statue of Saint George and the Dragon. This statue was carved by Thomas Duckett, who worked for the architect George Webster. At the very top of the roof is a cross decoration. Along the sides of the main hall, there are six more lancet windows. At the back of the church, there are three stepped lancet windows and single lancet windows on the sides of the chancel.
Inside the Church
Inside, at the front, there is a gallery supported by an arcade with thin columns. On the sides of the chancel (the area near the altar), there are two large decorative spaces called niches. Each niche has a pointed, decorated top and holds a statue carved by Thomas Duckett. The statue on the left shows Ecce Homo, which means "Behold the Man." The statue on the right is of Saint George.
The rail around the chancel is made of cast iron and has panels with three-leaf shapes. The eight-sided pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) is made of wood and has decorative panels. The stone font, used for baptisms, is also eight-sided. On each side of the main doorway, there is an eight-sided marble holy water stoup (a basin for holy water). These were made by Sylvester Mooney in 1837.
Stained Glass Windows
In the porch, you can see four square pieces of 17th-century Flemish glass. The beautiful stained glass windows in the east wall were made by Hardman & Co.. The middle window shows Thomas Wilkinson, the priest who founded the church, kneeling and offering the church to Christ. The windows next to it show Saint Cuthbert and Saint George.
The stained glass in the side windows of the chancel was made by H. Barnett. These windows show Saint Joseph and Saint Anne. In the south wall of the main hall, there is more stained glass by Hardman, and also some by Mayer of Munich.
Why the Church is Special
The Church of Holy Trinity and St George was officially listed as a Grade II* building on January 30, 1985. This means it's considered a "particularly important building of more than special interest." Architectural experts Matthew Hyde and Nikolaus Pevsner have said it's "much the best" of the three churches designed by George Webster in Kendal. They also noted its "wide and brightly lit interior."
See also
- Listed buildings in Kendal
- List of works by George Webster
