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 is a historic Church of England church in Kingswood, a town in South Gloucestershire, England. It is a special type of church known as a "Waterloo Church". Because of its historical importance, it is protected by law as a grade II* listed building.
Contents
History of the Church
For a long time, the town of Kingswood did not have its own church. People had to travel four miles to the church in the nearby parish of Bitton. In the early 1800s, many people in Kingswood followed other Christian groups, such as the Methodists and Moravians. Leaders of the Church of England felt it was important to build a church in the area.
A Church to Celebrate Victory
Holy Trinity was one of the first churches built with money from the British Parliament. This money was given to build new churches to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. That's why it is called a "Waterloo Church."
The new church was built on a hill. It was designed with a tall tower so it could be seen from all over the town, standing out among the other chapels.
Building and Design
The first stone was laid on June 9, 1819. However, a problem with who owned the land delayed the main construction until 1820. The church was designed by an architect named James Foster.
The building was finally finished and officially opened for worship on September 11, 1821.
Changes Over the Years
In 1852, a fire badly damaged the church. The beautiful panelled ceiling in the main part of the church (the nave) was destroyed and never put back.
Later, between 1897 and 1900, a new section was added at the front of the church where the altar is. This area is called the chancel. The church also has a large pipe organ made by the Sweetland company in 1903.
The tower has two bells, but they are very old and can no longer be rung.
The Churchyard
The churchyard is the burial ground around the church. It contains the war graves of eight soldiers from World War I and seven from World War II. These graves honor the service members who died in the wars.
Finding Historical Records
Old records for Holy Trinity Church are kept safely at the Bristol Archives. These records include lists of baptisms, marriages, and burials that took place at the church. You can also find documents from the priests and councils who ran the church over the years.
See also
- Churches in Bristol
- Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol
