Holy Trinity Church, Skipton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church, Skipton |
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Holy Trinity Church, Skipton, from the southeast
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| OS grid reference | SD 990,519 |
| Location | High Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Holy Trinity, Skipton |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 12th century |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 28 April 1952 |
| Architect(s) | Austin and Paley (1909 and 1925) |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic |
| Completed | 1909 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Skipton |
| Deanery | Skipton |
| Archdeaconry | Craven |
| Diocese | Leeds |
| Province | York |
Holy Trinity Church is a historic church located on High Street in Skipton, North Yorkshire, England. This church has roots going back to the Middle Ages. It is officially recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it's considered very important historically and architecturally.
As an active Anglican parish church, it serves the local community. It is part of the Skipton deanery, the Craven archdeaconry, and the Diocese of Leeds. The church also works together with St Augustine's Church in the nearby village of Draughton.
History of the Church
The very first church on this spot was likely built from wood in the early 12th century. The church building we see today dates back to around 1300. It was made larger towards the east in the late 15th century.
The church suffered damage during the English Civil War. It was repaired and restored in the 1650s. Lady Anne Clifford of Skipton Castle helped pay for these repairs. Her father's tomb is inside the church.
In 1853, lightning struck the church tower. Later, in 1909, the church was restored by architects Austin and Paley from Lancaster. During this work, old galleries were removed. A new north transept and vestries were added, and new seating was put in.
Lightning struck the church again in 1925. This caused a fire that destroyed the organ and damaged the roof. The roof was fixed, and Austin and Paley also installed a new organ case. In 1979, the Lady Chapel was created in the church's southeast corner. More recently, a Prayer Corner was set up in the northeast part of the church.
Church Design and Features
The church's layout includes a nave with a clerestory (a row of windows above the main part). It also has a south porch and a north transept, which holds the organ and vestries. There's a chancel with the Lady Chapel to the south and the Prayer Corner to the north. A west tower is built into the nave.
The window tracery (the stone patterns in the windows) is mostly in the Perpendicular style. Some parts show the Decorated style. The font is at the west end of the nave. It has a Jacobean style cover. The rood screen, which separates parts of the church, was built in 1533. In the chancel, there is a triple sedilia (seats for clergy).
Inside the church, you can find monuments from the 16th and 17th centuries. These remember members of the Clifford family. One of the windows features beautiful stained glass made by Kempe.
The church has a pipe organ. The original organ was built in 1803. After being moved a few times, it was destroyed in the 1925 fire. A new three-manual organ was then installed. This organ was later rebuilt and changed to two manuals in 1966 and 1970. It was moved into the north transept. The church also has a ring of eight bells. All of these bells were made by John Taylor & Co. in 1921.
Important Burials
More to Explore
- List of ecclesiastical works by Austin and Paley (1895–1914)
- List of ecclesiastical works by Austin and Paley (1916–44)
