Holy Trinity Church, Coventry Explained
Holy Trinity Church, Coventry, is a parish church of the Church of England in Coventry, West Midlands, England. Above the chancel arch is an impressive Doom wall-painting.
History
The church dates from the 12th century and is the only Medieval church in Coventry that is still complete.[1] [2] It is long and has a spire high, one of the tallest non-cathedral spires in the UK.
The church was restored in 1665–1668, and the tower was recased in 1826 by Thomas Rickman. The east end was rebuilt in 1786 and the west front by Richard Charles Hussey in 1843.
The inside of the church was restored by George Gilbert Scott in 1854.
Doom painting
The doom painting was painted above the tower arch in 1430s. It was discovered in 1831, covered by a lime wash, and was then restored and varnished over by David Gee. In the years following, the varnish darkened and hid the painting from view again. In 1995, conservation and restoration work was begun and the painting was revealed in 2004.[3]
Organ
The church had a pipe organ which had evolved over a long period of time with work by many builders, the last by Henry Willis and Sons. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.[4]
History
- 1526: This is the earliest recorded organ, built by John Howe and John Clynmowe of London for £30. In the late 16th century it was dismantled as the Puritan clergy at Holy Trinity disapproved of organs.
- 1631: Samuel Buggs (Vicar), "procured" a replacement instrument.
- 1640s: Puritans back in charge, organ sold for £30.
- 1732: The German Thomas Swarbrick, who also supplied a new organ for Coventry Cathedral (Old Cathedral), built one for Holy Trinity for £600. It was placed upon a gallery erected for it across the Nave and had 2 manuals.
- 1829: Swell and pedal added.
- 1855–1861: As part of the George Gilbert Scott restoration of the church, a new organ chamber was built in the westernmost bay of the south chancel aisle. This instrument of 3 manuals plus pedals, was built by Forster and Andrews for £800.
- 1900: Rebuilt by W. Hill & Sons with some of the old work incorporated; 4 manuals.
- 1923: Electric blowing chest added.
- 1933: J. Charles Lee of Coventry added pneumatic pistons.
- 1961: Rebuilt for £12,200 by the firm of Henry Willis, the organ contained 59 speaking stops, each with 61 pipes, along with 30 couplers and 3 tremolos.
- 2007: Organ was dismantled, due to it being beyond repair. A funding appeal has been launched for a new organ, which will cost approximately £600,000.
List of assistant organists
Notable clergy
- Rob Budd, curate 2013–2016
- Tony Burford, curate
- Hennie Johnston, curate 2003–2007
- James Hill, curate 2011–2013
- Anthony Francis Williams, curate 1950–1962
- Roy Windmill, curate 1967–1971
List of Vicars
Dates listed are of appointment, unless otherwise noted.[5]
- Ralph de Sove, (no dates known)
- Henry de Harenhale, 1298
- John de Holland, 1334
- John Greneburgh, 1346
- Egidius Fillilod, 1349
- William Swet, 1380
- John de Amcotes, 1381
- John Brideston, (no dates known)
- William Gamell, 1383
- Nicholas Crosloy, 1421
- John Meneley, 1443
- Thomas Bowde, (no dates known)
- Thomas Orton, 1508
- Richard Collett, (no dates known)
- Nicholas Darington, 1527
- Roger Capp, (no dates known)
- William Benet, 1546
- George Brooche, 1554
- George Cheston, 1568
- Anthony Fletcher, 1576
- Humphrey Fenne, 1577
- Richard Eaton, 1590
- Thomas Cooper, 1604
- Samuel Gibson, 1610
- John Staresmore, 1618
- Samuel Buggs, 1626
- Henry Carpenter, 1633
- Joseph Brown, 1636
- Robert Proctor, 1638
- John Bryan, 1644
- Nathaniel Wanley, 1662
- Samuel Barton, 1680
- Jonathan Kimberley, 1681
- Samuel Kimberley, 1712
- John Macklin, 1734
- Nathaniel Gerard, 1752
- Joseph Rann, 1773
- John Davies, 1811
- Walter Farquhar Hook, 1828–1837 (afterwards Vicar of Leeds Parish Church)[6]
- John Howells, 1837
- William Drake, 1857
- Alfred William Wilson, 1864
- Francis M. Beaumont, 1872–1912
- R. Basil Littlewood, 1912
- Acland F. O'N. Williams, 1929
- Graham W. Clitheroe, 1931
- Lawrence Jackson, 1965–1973 (later Provost of Blackburn)
- Nigel Douglas Blayney Abbott, 1973–1980 (later Provost of Oban)
- Graham Dow, 1981–1992 (later Bishop of Carlisle)
- David Andrew Urquhart, 1992–2000 (later Bishop of Birmingham)
- Gordon Keith Sinclair, 2001–2007 (later Bishop of Birkenhead)
- David Mayhew, 2009–2016
- Graeme Anderson, 2017-2021
- Richard Hibbert, from 2022
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Doom Fresco at Holy Trinity Church in Coventry. ArtDaily. 4 May 2014.
- History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Warwickshire, Francis White & Co, 1850.
- Collaboration in the Arts from the Middle Ages to the Present, Silvia Bigliazzi, Sharon Wood, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2006. .
- http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=A00737 National Pipe Organ Register
- Names and dates taken from the carved wooden plaque in the Archdeacon's Court. The plaque was dedicated to the memory of Francis M. Beaumont and installed sometime in the early 20th century. Early dates may be approximate.
- The Deans: Cathedral Life, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Trevor Beeson. SCM-Canterbury Press Ltd, 2004. .
