Holy Trinity Church, Reading facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church |
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Holy Trinity Church
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| 51°27′18.9″N 0°58′56.3″W / 51.455250°N 0.982306°W | |
| Location | Reading |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Holy Trinity |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Berkshire |
| Diocese | Diocese of Oxford |
Holy Trinity Church, also known as the Church of the Holy Trinity, is a special Church of England building in Reading, England. It is a parish church, which means it serves the local community. You can find it on Oxford Road, about 500 meters west of the town centre. This church is a Grade II listed building, meaning it is an important historical site.
Contents
History of Holy Trinity Church
The Holy Trinity Church was built in 1826. It was first a 'proprietary chapel,' which means it was owned by private people. Edward Garbett, a local architect, designed it. He also designed a church with the same name in Theale.
Changes to the Church Building
In 1845, the church building was changed a lot. It got its tall, pointed roof and new front. These changes were made by either John Billing or William Webb, both local architects. In 1864, it became a 'chapel of ease' for St Mary the Virgin church. This meant it was a smaller church used to help the main parish church.
Then, in 1870, Holy Trinity Church became a parish church on its own. An architectural historian once called it a "dull Gothic box." However, a vicar named Brian Brindley, who was in charge from 1967 to 1989, made it much more interesting.
Special Items Inside the Church
One of the most important parts of the church is its chancel screen. This is a decorative screen that separates the main part of the church from the altar area. It was designed by a famous architect named Augustus Pugin. This screen was originally in St Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham.
Vicar Brindley saved it from being destroyed and brought it to Holy Trinity Church. The chancel screen is the main reason why the church is a listed building. Brindley also brought many other special items to the church.
- He installed a high altar designed by Martin Travers. This altar looks like a golden coffin and was originally made for Nashdom Abbey.
- The church's pulpit was saved from All Saints Church, Oxford when that church was turned into a library for Lincoln College.
- A golden lectern, used for reading lessons, also came from All Saints, Oxford. It was designed by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson.
- The main high altar, with its 17th-century tabernacle (a special cabinet), was rescued from a church in Oxford. The tabernacle itself had been saved from a Belgian church during the First World War.
The Church Organ
The organ in Holy Trinity Church has a very interesting past. Although some records say it's from 1800, this isn't quite right. The first organ was put in by Flight & Robson in 1828. People said it wasn't a very good organ.
In 1870, a new organ was installed by Gray and Davison. Later, in the 1970s, during Vicar Brindley's time, the organ was rebuilt. An amateur builder used parts from several other organs. These parts came from a Gray and Davison organ from Brondesbury Baptist Church and an organ from All Saints, Oxford. The Brondesbury organ had been rebuilt from an instrument made by Hill. The Oxford organ was built in 1879 by C Martin.
The entire organ, made from all these different parts, was then restored starting in 1979 by BC Shepherd & Sons.
Early Photography Connection
Holy Trinity Church has a connection to early photography. It appeared in one of the very first photographs ever taken. This photograph was captured by Henry Fox Talbot, whose photography studio was located nearby.
Church Traditions
Holy Trinity Church follows a traditional style of worship called Anglo-Catholic. This means it has some practices similar to the Roman Catholic Church. The church does not agree with the ordination of women as priests and bishops. Because of this, it receives special guidance from the Bishop of Oswestry, who is currently Paul Thomas. This is called 'alternative episcopal oversight.'
