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Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood

Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood
Religion
AffiliationChurch of England
DistrictKingswood
Location
LocationSouth Gloucestershire, England
Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood is located in Gloucestershire
Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood
Shown within Gloucestershire
Geographic coordinates51°27′40″N 2°30′13″W / 51.4612°N 2.5037°W / 51.4612; -2.5037
Architecture
Architect(s)James Foster
Completed1821

Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood (grid reference ST651737), is an Anglican parish church in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, England. It has been designated as a grade II* listed building.[1]

History

Until the early 19th century Kingswood had no church of its own, and was served by the ancient parish of Bitton four miles away. A church was considered an urgent requirement by Anglicans, as the area was a hot-bed of Nonconformity with the Wesleyan, Whitfield Tabernacle and Moravian churches already in operation. The church was built within sight of all three and was given a tower so that it became more prominent than its neighbours.

It was one of the first churches built from funds voted by Parliament to mark Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, and hence known as a "Waterloo Church".[2] The foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of Gloucester on 9 June 1819, but there followed a dispute over the title of the site which meant that building did not begin in earnest until 1820. The completed church was consecrated on 11 September 1821. The architect was James Foster.[3]

The church was damaged by fire in 1852 and the panelled ceiling in the nave was never replaced. The present chancel was added 1897–1900.[1] It contains a Sweetland Organ built in 1903.[4] There are two bells in the tower however these are no longer ringable.[5]

The churchyard contains war graves of eight service personnel of World War I and seven of World War II.[6]

The parish and benefice of Kingswood is within the Diocese of Bristol.[7]

Black and white photograph postcard from 1919 showing the church, Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood, Bristol, UK. The image shows the North aspect of the church with trees in the churchyard and the brickwalls and iron railings around the graveyard.

Archives

Parish records for Holy Trinity church, Kingswood are held at Bristol Archives (Ref. P.K) (online catalogue) including baptism, marriage and burial registers. The archive also includes records of the incumbent, churchwardens and parochial church council.

References

  1. ^ a b "Parish Church of The Holy Trinity and Churchyard Walls". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Places of worship". My Kingswood. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  3. ^ Colvin, Howard Montagu (1978). A biographical dictionary of British architects, 1600 - 1840 (New ed.). London: Murray. p. 315. ISBN 978-0-7195-3328-0.
  4. ^ "Holy Trinity, Kingwood". Bristol and District Organists Association. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Holy Trinity, Kingswood". Lyndenlea Bells. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  6. ^ [1] Archived 26 May 2024 at the Wayback Machine CWGC Cemetery Report. Breakdown obtained from casualty record.
  7. ^ "Holy Trinity Church, Kingswood, Kingswood". A Church Near You. Church of England. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2016.

See also