Weight: 120 lbs Diameter: 17" Bell 1 of 2
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1970
Dove Bell ID: 53838 Tower ID: 20031 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Failsworth: Holy Trinity
Overview
Grid reference: SD 887 10
A large Edwardian Gothic town church of yellow stone with red “spiky” tracery, this combination an instant clue that one is looking at a Freeman church, as it was designed by Frank Richard Freeman of Bolton, son of Richard Knill Freeman. Built in 1909, it appears to have suffered from inadequate financing and was never completed as planned.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
6-bay aisled nave with short chancel. South chapel and choir vestry, north clergy vestry and organ chamber which are transeptal and extend from the east bay of the nave to just short of the east end of the chancel.
Dimensions:
Nave c 23m (75 ft) x 8m (25ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
Built 1909, designed by Frank Richard Freeman of Bolton, son of Richard Knill Freeman. The church is still very much still in the style of Knill, Frank was later to develop his own style. The east end of Holy Trinity was never completed as planned, and was finished off with a short chancel and oddly articulated wrap-around transepts, these later subdivided.
Exterior Description
This is a very modest church building, which clearly suffered from inadequate finance and was never completed as planned, petering out at the east end. It is long and low, with little vertical emphasis, the aisles and nave under one shallowly pitched roof which cants over the transepts. The low chancel is almost hidden from view. Shouldered and coped gable ends to the nave with cross finials. The tracery is Perpendicular throughout, with much double-cusping giving it the trademark Freeman “spiky” look.
The west elevation is not prominent due to its position near the hall, and is plain with a tall 5-light pointed window with tracery and a hoodmould run out as a string-course, cill band under. There is a miniature stepped triple lancet in the gable for the bell. The blocky buttresses terminate in shoulders with 2-light blind tracery panels. There are single cusped lancets in the aisle west walls.
The south elevation is the show side to the road. The aisle walls have thin buttresses of two weatherings framing 3-light pointed windows with identical Perpendicular tracery, under hoodmoulds run out to the buttresses. The exception is the west bay of the aisles which have a slightly projecting block of a porch with clasping buttresses. The doorway is 4-centred, recessed with continuous mouldings and a hoodmould to block stops. The south chapel and vestry/organ chamber are of two bays with a 3-light to each bay and similar 2-lights to the east faces with yellow stone double-cusped tracery. The chancel has a 5-light 4-centred window in the east wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1928
East window, the Last Supper after Leonardo Da Vinci, given 1928 in memory of Revd James Smith, first Rector, died 1926.
Stained Glass
1921
West window, given 1921 as a World War I memorial, soldier being crowned by Christ, saints and angels onlooking. In the style of Kempe & Co.
Stained Glass
20th Century
Baden-Powell memorial window, 1915-65, with portrait of the man in Scout uniform with a Scout and Brownie. Signed Charles Lightfoot of Manchester
Stained Glass
1921
World War I memorial window with soldiers at the tomb and risen Christ, in memory of Capt Bowes and his nephew Lt Taylor of 18th Manchesters, fell in France in 1917, whose faces are those of the Roman soldiers to the left. Given in 1921 by Major & Mrs John Bowes. Same artist as west window
Building Materials
Sandstone
Yellow sandstone walls, coursed to the nave. Red sandstone dressings.
Welsh Slate
Roof
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is whitewashed, the arcades and architectural details in mellow yellow stone. There are identical glazed draught lobbies at the west end. The panelling behind the font, large stone tablet and west window comprise a war memorial. Looking east, the arcades are the typical Freeman tall narrow arches with continuous mouldings and square piers, and transverse arches across the aisles creating the effect of ambulatories.
The nave is fully pewed with benches with panelled backs and curved armrests with ogee tracery fronts in light-stained pitched pine, matching the other woodwork. Light, open roof structure with hammer-beams to a pointed tunnel vault. The floors are woodblock with a red paisley carpet in the central alley.
The chancel arch is plain, broad, 4-centred. Across it is a low filigree Perpendicular Gothic screen of six bays with ogee tracery flanking a broad entrance with crocketed gable. This allows an uninterrupted view of the altar and panelled reredos from the nave. Choir stalls matching the pews. The floor has red carpet, lath and plaster ceiling, yellow painted east wall.
The organ pipes are displayed in the easternmost bay of the north arcade, opening onto the organ chamber with vestry behind. On the other side, access through a door in a glazed screen to the Lady Chapel, fitted in blue with modern furnishings; behind the screen infilling another arch behind the wooden reredos is the choir vestry, entered through another door with blind tracery.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1910
Oak chest with carved tracery front and of a piece with panelled reredos behind, small angels in relief at corners.
Reredos
1910
Of a piece with the altar
Altar
1950
Lady chapel. Plainer than the main altar, tripartite with blind tracery.
Pulpit
1910
Square wood, plain, moulded cornice.
Lectern
1910
Brass eagle.
Font (object)
1910
Octagonal stone font with cross and ihs on the bowl faces, slender shaft and octagonal base.
Rail
1964
Wooden rail with wooden supports, given 1964 in memory of Doris Latham.
Organ (object)
Pipe organ. Plaque recording it was given as a World War II memorial.
Bells
Weight: 216 lbs Diameter: 21.19" Bell 2 of 2
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1970
Dove Bell ID: 53839 Tower ID: 20031 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 887 10
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 | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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