Weight: 277 lbs Diameter: 22" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1898
Dove Bell ID: 58583 Tower ID: 22666 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Parkfield: Holy Trinity
Diocese of Manchester
Closed Church, 624349
http://www.holytrinityparkfield.org.uk/index.htmlOverview
Grid reference: SD 864 59
Designed by well-regarded architect George Shaw in the Decorated style in 1862.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay nave with south porch and 2-bay south aisle, north choir vestry and vestry. Apsidal chancel with south organ chamber. West bell turret. Boiler house beneath vestries.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] Nave 23m (75ft) x 9m (30ft), chancel 8m (26ft) x 5m (16ft)
Footprint of Church buildings: 420 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Early settlement of the area is suggested by the find of a Neolithic stone hammer and possible Roman clay jug north-east of the site. Middleton’s growth came with the arrival of cotton manufacture during the later part of the 17th century, originally a cottage industry. The first cotton mill opened c.1800 and there was silk-weaving from c.1780. The growth of the industry resulted in a population increase, the population of Middleton in 1851 was 8717.
Near to the church was Parkfield House, a Georgian and Victorian country house, since demolished except for the walls. A workhouse previously stood to the south/south-east.
Holy Trinity was built as a sister church to the Parish church of St Leonard and was consecrated in 1862. The site was offered by Sir S M Peto, Bart and Mr Betts and was intended to accommodate 500 worshippers at a cost no greater than £2000. It was designed by George Shaw from Uppermill, Lancashire, who was most well known for St Chad’s, Saddleworth, east of Oldham.
In 1899 the south transept/aisle was added, and an organ was moved from the north side of the chancel (where the clergy vestry is now) to the south of the chancel. A new bell was also fitted. A brass plaque near the south door records the conversion of lights to electricity in 1912 in celebration of the Jubilee. Old photos of the interior show the old light shades, an ornate wrought-iron chancel screen (removed in the 1970s), chairs arranged in the south transept, and swirling stencilling around the chancel arch. The roof was reslated in 1991.
The archaeological potential of the site is low. There are no known designations relating to the ecology of the plot.
Exterior Description
Holy Trinity is a neat, well-presented, church building set on a slope in a pleasant residential area. The raised ground gives the building some prominence, with views on approach from south and west.
A tall west bell turret rises above a four-light window and draws focus to the west end. The nave has two-light windows to north and south elevations, some are protected by means of wire mesh or fibreglass covers. The pitched roof of the nave is met by a gabled south porch. The porch is raised by 2 steps, has a stone floor, stone benches and single lights to east and west. To its east projects a two-bay double gabled transept. The chancel roof is lower than the nave. An apsidal east end is difficult to appreciate as it does not form an element within local views, and is hidden by vegetation. The vestry projects to the north side, and has two doors into the church. Stone cross finials accent all of the gables. Corner buttresses clasp each angle.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century 5-bay
Porch
19th century south
Aisle
19th century 2-bay south aisle
Vestry
19th century north choir vestry
Chancel
19th century apsidal
Organ (component)
19th century south chamber
Bellcote
19th century west
Boiler Room
19th century beneath vestry
Building Materials
Stone
19th century coursed square stone
Welsh Slate
20th century roof reslated 1991
Interior
Interior Description
The aisleless nave is entered through an oak door from the porch in the south-west corner. The area to the west has been cleared of pews and wooden chairs, originally from the south transept, have been arranged. The area rises across two steps, and immediately to the west of the porch door is the font, set with encaustic floor tiles around it. The remaining area is carpeted. In the apex of the west wall, stone corbels can be seen which provide support to the exterior west bell turret. An altar, relocated from the south transept, is positioned to the north side, installed in memory of James Townsend, d.1956.
The interior walls are plastered and painted with exposed stone surrounds. Simple arch-braced timber roof trusses rest on stone corbels. Heating pipes run around the base of the walls. Original brass light-fittings remain though the original glass shades (seen in historic photograph) have been replaced with energy saving light-bulbs. There are two modern light fittings against the west wall. The nave floor is formed of wood blocks (some iron grates), with fixed stained soft-wood pews on level boarded floors to either side. They have umbrella stands to each end and curved arms form seat spaces along the span of each bench.
In the south-east corner is a two-bay pointed arcade with octagonal central pier forming the south transept. The area is arranged with tables and has a servery along the west wall. The organ chamber forms the east wall.
The vestry is positioned in the north-east corner of the nave and accessed beneath a pointed stone arch. It is raised by two steps. There is a single light of stained glass in the north wall, relocated from the chancel. The clergy vestry is through to the east and has a sink.
The chancel is raised by two stone steps, beneath a pointed stone chancel arch, which rises between a low chancel wall with stone top and alabaster carved panels. Harsh strip lights are fixed to the chancel side of the chancel arch. The aisle is paved with encaustic tiles, overlaid with carpet. Choir stalls are positioned on wood platforms to north and south. A blank stone arch is set in the north wall. The organ is positioned beyond an arch to the south side. Overhead the ceiling is decorated with painted and gilded ribs. The sanctuary, which has a polygonal end, rises by a step. With the altar raised upon another two.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century softwood, solid panelled front with open back
Reredos
20th century Painted carved stone depicting the Last Supper with strip-light fitted inside. A memorial to William and Helen Mellalieu (a window in their memory commemorates their death in 1914 so dates after that).
Pulpit
19th century carved octagonal oak on stone base
Lectern
19th century enormous carved oak eagle
Font (component)
19th century octagonal stone with flat oak cover
Rail
19th century wrought-iron scrolled uprights with oak rail
Stained Glass (window)
19th century • Chancel – five light set by Mr Edmondson of Manchester, 1864, completed 1865 – several show signs of deterioration within the detail. o Agony in the Garden, o Bearing the Cross, o Crucifixion (now in vestry – moved when reredos fitted?), o Resurrection, o Ascension; • South choir – Raising of Jairus Daughter. In memory of A E Wheeler, d.1862 by R B Edmundson, with brass plaque beneath. Thought to have been one of the first windows installed in the church, and previously located where the organ is; • South aisle, west wall – Parabel of the Sower and Barren Fig Tree – by Clayton and Bell, c.1864
Stained Glass (window)
20th century • West – depicting the Evangelists, Adoration of the Magi, Annunciation and Holy Trinity in commemoration of the Jubilee, 1912. Paid for by John Aspell. Designed by John W Lisle made by C E Kempe & Co whose logo features; • North nave (west) – depicts Women at the Sepulchre with Christ Enthroned above. Signed by Shrigley and Hunt. In memory of W Mellalieu, d.1914; • North nave (east) – Sermon on the Mount and Our Lord Sending forth Disciples to Preach the Gospel. Commemorates George Moore, d.1924. By James Powell & Sons (Whitefriars), with their symbol; • North choir – Coming of Nicademus to our Lord by Night, in memory of Emery Bates, d.1903. By Powell of Whitefriars, with symbol; • South aisle (east) – Holy Office of Priesthood featuring Moses and Melchisedec in memory of William Burgess, d. 1916 by Powell & Sons of Whitefriars; • South nave – Virgin and Child and wise men, in memory of Charles and Anne Mather (benefactors to the church and school). By Shrigley and Hunt, 1930.
Organ (component)
19th century The original organ, north of the chancel, was replaced in 1899 in a chamber to the south of the chancel. Possibly by Brindley and Foster.
Plaque (component)
20th century • WWI – commemorative brass plaques on each facet of octagonal stone pier naming those who served during the war, those who lost lives in red. List description details it as being of special significance; • WWII - brass plaque in style of the above, fixed to pier between south aisle and organ chamber.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
registers dating from 1862
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 864 59
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
Sources
Showing 7 entries of 7 View All
Quinquennial Inspections
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.