Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Church of England |
| District | Kingswood |
| Location | |
| Location | South Gloucestershire, England |
 Location in Gloucestershire
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | James Foster |
| Completed | 1821 |
Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood (grid reference ST651737), is an Anglican parish church in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This historic building has been officially recognized as a grade II* listed building, which means it is a very important historical site.
Contents
History of Holy Trinity Church
Why Kingswood Needed a Church
Before the early 1800s, Kingswood did not have its own church. People had to travel about four miles to the ancient parish of Bitton for church services. At that time, many people in Kingswood followed other Christian groups, known as Nonconformists. These included the Wesleyan, Whitfield Tabernacle, and Moravian churches.
Anglicans felt it was very important to have their own church in Kingswood. They wanted a church that would stand out. So, Holy Trinity Church was built where it could be seen from the other churches. It was also given a tall tower to make it even more noticeable.
Building the "Waterloo Church"
Holy Trinity Church was one of the first churches built using money from the Parliament. This money was given to celebrate Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Because of this, it is known as a "Waterloo Church".
The first stone was laid by the Bishop of Gloucester on June 9, 1819. However, there was a problem with who owned the land. This meant that serious building work did not start until 1820. The church was finally finished and officially opened on September 11, 1821. The person who designed the church was an architect named James Foster.
Changes and Additions Over Time
In 1852, the church was damaged by a fire. The beautiful wooden ceiling in the main part of the church, called the nave, was never replaced after the fire. Later, between 1897 and 1900, a new part called the chancel was added to the church.
Inside the chancel, you can find a Sweetland Organ, which was built in 1903. The church tower has two bells, but they cannot be rung anymore.
War Graves in the Churchyard
The churchyard, which is the area around the church, is also a special place. It contains the war graves of fifteen service members. Eight of these people died during World War I, and seven died during World War II.
The church is part of the parish and benefice of Kingswood. This area is within the Diocese of Bristol, which is a larger church district.
Church Records and Archives
Records for Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood, are kept at Bristol Archives. These records include important documents like registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials. They also have records from the incumbent (the priest in charge), churchwardens, and the parochial church council. You can find an online catalogue of these records if you want to learn more.
See also
- Churches in Bristol
- Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol
