Holy Trinity Church, Trowbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church, Trowbridge |
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The west end of Holy Trinity Church and the World War I war memorial
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| 51°19′07″N 02°12′52″W / 51.31861°N 2.21444°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| History | |
| Dedication | Holy Trinity |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Trowbridge, Wiltshire |
Holy Trinity Church, Trowbridge is an old Church of England church in Trowbridge, England. It was built in the 1800s and is a special historic building. People in Trowbridge often call it 'The Church on the Roundabout'. This is because a one-way road goes all around it!
Contents
History of Holy Trinity Church
In 1807, the land where the church stands was bought. At that time, the main church in Trowbridge was too small. It could only hold a small part of the town's 12,000 people. So, plans began to build a much bigger church.
In 1835, people started raising money for the new church. The first idea was that it would cost about £4,000.
Building the Church
The church ended up costing £5,251. This is a lot of money, like over £600,000 today! The Church Building Commissioners gave a grant of £1,676 to help. Charles and Richard Gane were the builders.
A. F. Livesay from Portsmouth was chosen as the architect. He designed the church in a style called Early English. This style looks a bit like Salisbury Cathedral. For example, the ceilings in the aisles (side parts) look like Salisbury Cathedral.
The church was built using stone from Westwood. The inside walls were painted to look like fancy marble. There were four entrances, called porches. The main entrance today is under a tall tower. The windows were originally made of clear glass.
It's a bit unusual, but the church doesn't face exactly east and west. It faces more north-east and south-west.
The first stone was laid in 1837. About 7,000 people came to watch this important event! The building took just over a year to finish. It was officially opened on November 1, 1838. When it first opened, it had seats for 1,033 people.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the church has changed inside.
- In 1852, a new organ was put in.
- New heating was added in 1861-62.
- In 1871, a side chapel was made for smaller services.
- For the church's 50th birthday in 1888, a large gallery (a balcony) was removed. The organ was moved, and choir stalls were added.
- In 1898, some of the seating was changed.
Around 1901, people realized the Westwood stone used for building was not very strong. So, repairs and changes were needed.
- Between 1902 and 1904, the chancel (the area near the altar) was raised.
- More seating changes happened in 1908, reducing the number of seats to about 750.
- The All Saints' Chapel was updated in 1911.
- In 1914, a beautiful carved screen called a reredos was added behind the main altar. It shows angels, the birth of Jesus, and Jesus rising from the dead. It also has pictures of four Archangels.
- Another reredos was added in the All Saints' Chapel in 1927.
- In 1940, a screen was put up in the Lady chapel.
- A new choir room was built as a memorial to those who died in World War II. The names of 56 people from the church who died in the war are carved on a screen. This screen was dedicated in 1951.
In the 1970s, a new road was built around the church. This created the roundabout that gives the church its nickname. It became "The Church on the Roundabout."
More changes happened in 1980-81.
- The vicar's office was turned into toilets.
- The font (where baptisms happen) was moved.
- Another screen was added to match the one in the Lady Chapel. This area was used for a crèche (a nursery for young children).
- A simple, movable wooden altar was put in the main part of the church.
In 2000, the old pews were removed and replaced with chairs.
Church Windows
The church has many beautiful stained-glass windows.
- Near the east window, there are two windows remembering Charles Gane, one of the builders. One shows Jesus rising from the dead, and the other shows Jesus going up to heaven.
- On the south wall, there is a window for Reverend Digby Walsh. He was the vicar for eleven years and died young in 1869.
- In 1906, a window was put in the north wall for Alice Ewing, the vicar's wife.
- Her husband, Robert Ewing, died in 1908. A magnificent east window was put in his honor in 1909. It shows scenes like the Crucifixion and the Ascension. It also shows Jesus telling Peter to "Feed my lambs," which relates to Dr. Ewing's work in education.
- In 1913, a small window was added for Harry Moore, the church organist. It shows St. Gregory holding a sheet of music.
- In 1937, windows in the south transept were dedicated to Florence Norris. They show stories of kindness, like Dorcas helping the poor and St Martin sharing his cloak. They also show Jesus healing people. These windows were made by Morris & Co..
- In 1945, windows were put in the Lady Chapel for Arthur Stancomb. They show Jesus as the good shepherd and St. Christopher, who is the patron saint of travelers.
Redecoration and Repair
The church has been redecorated and repaired several times. This happened between 1858 and 1869, and again in 1884. In 1967-68, the inside was completely redecorated. In 2009, the church was repaired and redecorated again. The colors changed from blues to reds, pinks, white, and gold.
The Churchyard
A stone cross was put up in the churchyard to remember those from the area who died in World War I. It has 147 names on it and was dedicated in 1921. Many of the old gravestones were removed in 1977.
Status of the Church
When Holy Trinity was built, it was like a smaller church connected to the main parish church, St James. In 1839, it became its own parish church.
In 1976, the church was given a special historic status as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a very important historic place.
In 2010, Holy Trinity stopped being a parish church. Its area was divided among other churches. Now, it is a chapel of ease. This means it's still used for services, especially evening ones. It's also used for youth groups, concerts, a mothers and toddlers group, and other community activities.
See also
