Holy Trinity Church, Aldershot facts for kids
The Church of the Holy Trinity is an important Anglican church in Aldershot, Hampshire. It's the main church for the town centre, found on Victoria Road. It's a special building, listed as Grade II since 1980, meaning it's protected for its history and architecture. It's part of the Diocese of Guildford.
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Building the Church: A New Beginning
For a long time, St Michael's church was the main church in Aldershot. But in the 1850s, many British Army troops arrived in the area. Aldershot town also grew very quickly. People felt a new church was needed closer to the Army Camp and the busy town centre.
Holy Trinity was the first new church built in Aldershot. Work started in 1875. The foundation stone was laid by Edward Harold Browne, who was the Bishop of Winchester. The church was finished in 1878.
Designing and Building Holy Trinity
Sir James Hope Grant led the group that raised money for the church. Sidney Stapley, an architect from Farnham, designed it. The church has a chancel (the area around the altar) and a large nave (the main part where people sit). It also has side aisles and porches.
The church has a steep slate roof. It's built from brick and stone, with stone details. Its style is based on 13th-century Early English design. A local company, Martin, Wells and Company, built the church. It cost £6,000, plus £350 for the organ. The church could hold 800 people. However, there wasn't enough money to build the tall tower and spire that were part of the original plan.
Special Features Inside the Church
You can find Masonic designs in different parts of the church. These include patterns on the pulpit and some floor tiles. A window on the north side has a Pre-Raphaelite design. It remembers Sarah Frances Bateman (1881–2). The Ellison Glass Works made it, and Arthur Hardwick Marsh is thought to have designed it.
The brass bookrest is a memorial to soldiers. It remembers officers and men who died in the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. The great west window is also a memorial. It honours 53 men from the parish who died in World War I.
The parents of famous comedian and actor Arthur English got married here in 1909. He and his two older brothers were also baptised at Holy Trinity.
Holy Trinity's Army Connections
Even though Holy Trinity is not a military church, it has strong links to the Army. During World War II, it served Canadian soldiers stationed in Aldershot. Their chaplains held services for the troops. It became a tradition for soldiers leaving Aldershot for overseas duty to have a communion service here before they left.
Later Years and Important Events
The current Church Hall, called Galpin Hall, stands on Albert Road. It replaced an older hall. It was named after Reverend Eric C Galpin, who was the vicar from 1952 to 1966.
In 1992, thieves stole the church safe with communion plates and chalices. But the next day, two men returned it, saying it was "too hot to handle."
Since 1999, the parish priest has been the Rev. Sir George Peter Howgill Newton, the 4th Baronet. In 2017, the church was added to the Heritage at Risk Register. This means it needs special care to protect its history.
Gallery
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The Victorian baptismal font
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View down the nave to the West
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North window attributed to Arthur Hardwick Marsh
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Holy Trinity from Victoria Road in 1905
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Holy Trinity from Victoria Road in 2018
