Bedford: Holy Trinity
Overview
Grid reference: TL 46 501
Built of the local yellowish ragstone in the Early English style with lancet windows throughout except for the rose windows with plate tracery in the north and south projections of the chancel added in 1866 by F.C. Penrose.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, nave with north-east and south-east porches, chancel and sanctuary.
Description of Archaeology and History
By John Brown of Norwich c.1839-40. John Brown built few churches. His other important ecclesiastical work is the`markedly similar church of St. Michael at Stamford, Lincolnshire, which - like Holy Trinity - makes a noteable contribution to the townscape without being itself an especially distinguished building.
Exterior Description
Built of the local yellowish ragstone in the Early English style with lancet windows throughout except for the rose windows with plate tracery in the north and south projections of the chancel added in 1866 by F.C. Penrose. In the late 1950's there was an interesting repair to the tower, made necessary by the decay of the stone: not only was the stonework cut back to a sound face and the whole repointed, but the quoins of the buttresses were cut out and bonded in with new buff coloured facing bricks. The result of this fairly drastic measure is surprisingly successful. It is unfortunate, however, that at some earlier time the tall corner pinnacles of the tower were removed and the present rather abrupt parapet substituted for the original form. The tower is of three storeys having a tall stage at the base, with a frontispiece for the main entrance to the church; above the entrance is a tall lancet window. The middle stage is shallow, and contains the clock then comes the belfry stage, with a triplet of tall lancet openings on each face. There is only one bell, of c.1840, in the tower. A feature of the building is the massive iron door furniture (e.g. west door, and north and south porch doors). Along the north and south flanks of the nave rise tall pairs of lancets, intersected at half-way level, inside by the galleries which run round three sides of the nave.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
The east window of patterned glass. A memorial to the Revd. James Donne.
Stained Glass
c. 1871
Window on north side of sanctuary. Representationof Our Lord, c. 1871.
Interior
Interior Description
Inside the building is amazingly wide and low. The galleries are supported on thin iron columns. The chancel arch, and th sanctuary arch beyond it, are both uncommonly wide - as is also the central passageway in the nave. Plain plastered walls and panelled ceiling, with two immense suspended inverted cones to disseminate the light from electric bulbs. Beneath the church is a large crypt. The late Georgian elegance of the tower staircase, leading to the west gallery, is unexpected. At the east end of the church is a new hall with vestries and other ancillary accommodation, built in 1960-62 in replacement of the former hall and mission room which had been comulsorily purchased.
Fixtures and fittings
Organ (object)
Three manual. Built 1859, rebuilt and enlarged by J.W. Walker & Son 1891.
Stall
Appear to be 20th century Perpendicular.
Pulpit
Appear to be 20th century Perpendicular.
Rail
Appear to be 20th century Perpendicular.
Font (object)
The original one, tiny in size with an octagonal bowl on a diminutive marble column.
Font (object)
19th Century
19th century font in a straightforward Perpendicular manner with octagonal stone basin and stem and a beaten copper cover.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TL 46 501
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
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