Holy Trinity Church, Bradford-on-Avon explained

Holy Trinity Church, Bradford-on-Avon
Country:	United Kingdom
Heritage Designation:	Grade I Listed building
Priestincharge:	Joanna Abecassis
Denomination:	Church of England
Functional Status:	Active
Style:	Norman architecture

Holy Trinity Church, Bradford-on-Avon is a Grade I listed church in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, England. It is part of the Church of England within the Anglican Communion and Diocese of Salisbury. The parish of Holy Trinity has been a part of the benefice of Bradford on Avon Holy Trinity, Westwood and Wingfield since 2013.^{[1] [2] [3]}

History

The present church was built around 1150 and originally consisted of a chancel and nave.^[4] The chancel was lengthened around the beginning of the 13th century, and a section of the south east wall rebuilt in 1707. In 2016 the sale of a Flemish masterpiece by Quentin Matsys funded a £2m refurbishment of the church.^[5] A squint near the altar is claimed to be England's longest. The tower with spire was built around 1480, replacing an older one, and the south wall was largely rebuilt in the 19th century. The church has a ring of eight bells, with the tenor (heaviest bell) weighing .^{[6] [7]}

Leadership

the rector is The Reverend Canon Joanna Margaret Abecassis, who previously completed a PhD in agricultural landownership at the University of Cambridge.^[8] Abecassis took over as priest in charge in 2010 when her predecessor William Andrew Matthews retired. She has served as rector since 2013.

Previous leaders include:

• 1981–2010 William Andrew Matthews, Chaplain to the Queen^[9]
• 1973-1981 David Caldwell Ritche
• 1965–1973 David Inderwick Strangeways
• 1956–1965 Arthur Frederick Osborne
• 1944–1956 Claude Stanley Green
• 1937–1944 Philip Maurice Barry

References

51.3467°N -2.2539°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Home . htboa.org.
2. Web site: Holy Trinity Parish Church, Church Street, Bradford on Avon. bradfordonavonmuseum.co.uk.
3. Web site: Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon . 20 March 2023 . Wiltshire Community History . Wiltshire Council.
4. Book: Pevsner . Nikolaus . Nikolaus Pevsner . Cherry . Bridget (revision) . 1975 . 1963 . Wiltshire . . 2nd . Harmondsworth . . 0-14-0710-26-4 . 139.
5. Web site: Long-lost Flemish masterpiece funds £2m revamp of Wiltshire church. 2016. Anon. bbc.co.uk. BBC News.
6. Web site: Bradford on Avon, Holy Trinity. 8 December 2021. dove.cccbr.org.uk. Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers.
7. Web site: Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon, Bells on Sunday. bbc.co.uk. BBC Radio 4.
8. PhD. University of Cambridge. The development of the trust as a form of agricultural land ownership in England. Joanna Margaret. Abecassis. 1981. . cam.ac.uk. 53547907.
9. Web site: History – Holy Trinity.