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Holy Trinity Church, Coventry

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. 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 wall-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.

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 & Sons. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Timeline

  • 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: 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 two 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 three manuals plus pedals, was built by Forster and Andrews for £800
  • 1900: Rebuilt by W. Hill & Sons with some of the old work incorporated; four 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 was to cost approximately £600,000.

List of organists

List of assistant organists

  • Sullivan D.T. Mortimer ???? – ca.1900 (afterwards organist of St. Mary's Church, Atherstone)
  • Norman Coke-Jephcott 1909–1911
  • Harold Carpenter c.1950–60
  • Peter Bourton c.1954–64. Afterwards Organist at St Marks, Bilton, Rugby.

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.

  • 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)
  • 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

Stained glass windows

See also

References