Kendal Parish Church Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Kendal Parish Church
Holy Trinity Church, Kendal

Kendal Parish Church Location in South Lakeland Show map of South Lakeland Kendal Parish Church Location in Cumbria Show map of Cumbria
54°19′34″N 2°44′42″W / 54.326069°N 2.745048°W / 54.326069; -2.745048
Location	Kendal, Cumbria, England
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
History
Status	Active
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade I listed
Designated	24 April 1951
Completed	1201
Specifications
Capacity	1100
Administration
Province	Province of York

Kendal Parish Church, also known as the Holy Trinity Church, is a very old and important church in Kendal, Cumbria, England. It's part of the Church of England. This church is so special that it's listed as a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England.

When you visit, you'll notice how big it is and how bright it feels inside. This bright feeling comes from its unique design. It has five long sections, called aisles, separated by columns. This design allows for many windows, letting in lots of light.

The oldest part of the church, the nave, is 800 years old! Other parts were added over many years. In its busiest times, the church could hold about 1100 people for services.

History of the Church
- Early Anglo-Saxon Times
- Norman Era and Beyond
Church Organs
Gallery
See also

History of the Church

Early Anglo-Saxon Times

A church was first built on this spot a very long time ago, during the Anglo-Saxon period. The builders used stones from an old Roman fort called Watercrook, which was south of Kendal. We know this church existed because it's mentioned in the Domesday Book. Also, a piece of an old Anglian cross, which is now in the Parr Chapel, dates back to around AD 850.

Norman Era and Beyond

The Normans took control of the Westmorland area in 1092. Ivo Taillebois, the first Norman Baron of Kentdale, gave the church and its lands to St Mary's Abbey in York. In 1189, there was a difficult event when people from Kendal were harmed in the church by Duncan, Earl of Fife.

During a big repair project in 1829, workers found an arch carved with the date 1201. Written records also show that the building existed by at least 1232. A document from that year talks about money being given for repairs to the church.

The Parr Chapel was built by the Parr family in the 1300s. You can see their family coats of arms on the ceiling. The Parr family was very important in Kendal's history. A large tomb in this chapel belongs to William Parr, who was the grandfather of Catherine Parr. Catherine Parr later became the last queen of King Henry VIII.

Church Organs

Kendal Parish Church has two organs, which are like giant musical instruments:

The main organ is at the west end of the church. It was built in 1969 by J.W. Walker. It includes parts from an even older organ.
The choir organ is at the east end. It was built around 1885 by Bevington and was bought by the church in 2002.