Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity |
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| Holy Trinity Church | |
Holy Trinity Church from Sidney Street
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| 52°12′21″N 0°07′13″E / 52.2059°N 0.1203°E | |
| Location | Market Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3NZ |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Charismatic Evangelical |
| Website | www.htcambridge.org.uk |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Perpendicular Gothic |
| Years built | c.1400 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Ely |
Holy Trinity Church is a church located on Market Street in the city of Cambridge, England. It stands at the corner of Sidney Street. The church is part of the Church of England and follows a special Christian tradition called charismatic evangelicalism. Its current leader is Stuart Browning.
Contents
History of Holy Trinity Church
The very first Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge was a small building made of timber with a thatched roof. It was built near an old Roman road. Sadly, this first church burned down in 1174.
In 1189, people started building a new church out of stone. Today, only the stonework of the west wall, under the tower, remains from that early stone church.
Building Changes Over Time
Around 1350, enough money was collected to make the main part of the church, called the nave, wider. They also added two side sections, known as aisles. About 1348, a tall, pointed structure called a steeple was added to the church's tower.
Around 1400, two parts that stick out from the sides, called transepts, were built. These were made in a style known as the Perpendicular style. During the English Reformation (a time of big changes in the church, from about 1550 to 1750), Holy Trinity Church continued to grow. In 1616, a balcony was added along the north side of the nave. This was to make space for more people who came to worship.
From 1782 to 1836, Holy Trinity Church became a very important spiritual center in Cambridge. This was mainly because of the work of Charles Simeon (1759–1836). He became the vicar, even though some people in the church didn't want him because of his strong evangelicalism (a type of Christian faith).
In 1794, Simeon brought a special musical instrument called a barrel organ into the church. It could play sixty different hymn tunes. Simeon didn't make many big changes to the church building until 1834. At that time, the small old chancel (the part of the church near the altar) was taken down. A much larger new one, made of brick and plaster, was built in its place. Simeon also helped start the Church Missionary Society in 1799, which sends missionaries to other countries.
Holy Trinity in Victorian Times
The church kept growing and was known for its evangelistic work during the Victorian era (a period in British history from 1837 to 1901). In 1887, the chancel was finished with stone. The old seats were replaced, and special seats for the choir were added. Most of the balconies were removed.
In the same year, the Henry Martyn Memorial Hall was built next to the church. This building became a place for Christian students at the University of Cambridge. Between 1873 and 1889, about 140 people from the church offered to join the Church Missionary Society. In 1885, a group known as the Cambridge Seven traveled to China to share their faith. This inspired many other Christian missionaries.
Present Day Church
Today, Holy Trinity Cambridge is part of the charismatic evangelical tradition within the Church of England. The church follows the beliefs of the Church of England Evangelical Council.
Notable People
Many important people have been connected to Holy Trinity Church over the years:
- Peter Ackroyd, a scholar of the Bible, worked here from 1957 to 1961.
- Charles Clayton, was the vicar from 1851 to 1865.
- Thomas Rawson Birks, served as vicar from 1866 to 1877.
- Max Warren, was the vicar from 1936 to 1942.
- Thomas Goodwin, served as vicar from 1632 to 1633.
Gallery
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Inside Holy Trinity in 2012
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The church seen from Sidney Street, Cambridge
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The church entrance on Market Street, Cambridge
See also
- Church of St Mary the Great, which is the main University Church nearby.
