Holy Trinity Church, Aldershot facts for kids
The Church of the Holy Trinity is an Anglican church in Aldershot, a town in Hampshire. It serves as the main church for the town center, located on Victoria Road. This historic building has been a Grade II listed building since 1980, meaning it's an important historical site. It is part of the Diocese of Guildford.
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History of Holy Trinity Church
For a long time, the main church for Aldershot was St Michael's church. It was located in the old village center. However, in the 1850s, many British Army troops arrived in the area. The town also started to grow very quickly. People felt it was important to build a new church closer to the Army Camp and the busy town center.
Building the Church
Work on Holy Trinity Church began in 1875. The first stone was laid by Edward Harold Browne, who was the Bishop of Winchester. The church was finished in 1878.
Sir James Hope Grant led the group that raised money for the church. The church was designed by an architect named Sidney Stapley. It has a large main area called a nave and a chancel at the front. It also has side aisles and porches. The church has a steep slate roof and is built from brick and stone. It was designed in a style similar to 13th-century Early English buildings.
The local company Martin, Wells and Company built the church. It cost about £6,000, plus another £350 for the organ. The church was big enough for 800 people. However, there wasn't enough money to build the tall tower and spire that Stapley had planned.
Inside the Church
You can find Masonic designs in different parts of the church. These designs are on the pulpit, some floor tiles, and a window. The north window has a special Pre-Raphaelite design. It remembers Sarah Frances Bateman, who passed away in 1882. This window was made by the Ellison Glass Works. Its design is thought to be by Arthur Hardwick Marsh.
There is a brass bookrest that acts as a war memorial. It honors the soldiers who died in the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. It says: "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL AT ISANDULA: JANUARY 22 1879".
The parents of the famous comedian and actor Arthur English got married in this church in 1909. He and his two older brothers were also baptized there. The large west window is a memorial to 53 men from the area who died in World War I.
Church and the Army
Even though Holy Trinity is not a military church, it has strong ties to the Army. During World War II, it was used by chaplains from the Canadian Army Overseas. They held services for troops staying in Aldershot. It became a tradition for soldiers leaving Aldershot for overseas duty to have a communion service here before they left.
Later Years
The current church hall, called Galpin Hall, stands on Albert Road. It replaced an older hall. The new hall was named after Reverend Eric C Galpin, who was the vicar of Holy Trinity from 1952 to 1966.
In May 1992, some valuable communion plates and chalices were stolen from the church. However, the very next day, two men returned them. They said the items were "too hot to handle."
Since 1999, the main priest has been the Reverend Sir George Peter Howgill Newton. He is the 4th Baronet of The Wood and Kottingham House. In 2017, the church was added to the Heritage at Risk Register. This means it needs special care to protect its historical importance.
Images for kids
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Holy Trinity Church from Albert Road in 2020
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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
