Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Manchester

Holy Trinity Armenian Church
Holy Trinity Armenian Church
53°27′45″N2°13′24″W / 53.46238°N 2.22333°W / 53.46238; -2.22333
Location	Upper Brook Street Manchester
Country	England
Denomination	Armenian Apostolic
History
Dedication	1870
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II
Architect(s)	Royle and Bennett
Architectural type	Church
Style	Neo-Gothic
Construction cost	£2,725
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name	Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and vicarage
Designated	16 May 2012
Reference no.	1401667 [1]

Holy Trinity Armenian Church is an Armenian Apostolic Church in the Chorlton-on-Medlock area of Manchester, England and a Grade II listed building. Consecrated in 1870, it is the oldest purpose-built Armenian Church in Western Europe.

History

In the early 19th-century, a number of "well-educated and very wealthy" Armenian textile merchants, manufacturers and retailers were drawn to Manchester for its reputation as an "industrial and commercial centre". ^{[2] [3]} The first group arrived in 1835 and by 1862, the Armenian community had opened an estimated 30 businesses in the city. ^[4] Many Armenians settled in the area around Upper Brook Street. ^{[5] [6]} Prior to the building of the church, the community rented a chapel. ^[1]

In 1867, Vartabed Kiuroyan initiated plans for a purpose-built Armenian church and vicarage, collecting funds from dozens of sponsors. ^[1] The church was designed in the neo-Gothic style by the architecture firm Royle and Bennett. ^{[7] [8]} Construction began in 1869 to the tune of £2,725. Holy Trinity Armenian Church officially opened and had its inaugural service on Easter Day in 1870. ^[1]

The late Queen Elizabeth II wrote a letter acknowledging the church's 150 year anniversary in 2020. ^[2]

References

1. Historic England (16 May 2012). "Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and vicarage (1401667)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 30 March 2024.
2. Cougilian, Vicken (2020). "From Armenia to Manchester: The Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Manchester and its Community" . Retrieved 5 August 2025.
3. Watts, George (17 July 2004). "Celebrating the first Christian nation". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2007.
4. "Multi-Cultural Manchester: Armenians". Manchester City Council. Archived from the original on 7 September 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
5. "Holy Trinity Armenian Church". Manchester History. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
6. George, Joan (2002). "Merchants in Exile: The Armenians in Manchester, England, 1835-1935". Gomidas Institute. ISBN   1903656087.
7. The architects chose an eclectic neo-Gothic style. At the east end is a rounded apse and the interior is simple though the altar is elaborate.--Hartwell, Clare; Hyde, Matthew & Pevsner, Nikolaus (2004) Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East. New Haven: Yale University Press; pp. 421–22
8. "The Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Manchester". Holy Trinity Armenian Church. 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2010.