Holy Trinity Church, Ilfracombe

Last updated

Holy Trinity Church
Church of the Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity Church, Ilfracombe.jpg
The church in 2018
Holy Trinity Church, Ilfracombe
51°12′20″N4°07′43″W / 51.20558°N 4.12850°W / 51.20558; -4.12850 Coordinates: 51°12′20″N4°07′43″W / 51.20558°N 4.12850°W / 51.20558; -4.12850
Location Ilfracombe, Devon
CountryEngland
Denomination Anglican
Architecture
Completed1263
1322
Administration
Province Canterbury
Diocese Exeter
Archdeaconry Barnstaple
Deanery Barnstaple
Benefice Ilfracombe
Parish Ilfracombe

The Church of the Holy Trinity is the Anglican parish church for Ilfracombe in Devon. The building has been a Grade I listed building since 1951 [1] and comes under the Diocese of Exeter.

Contents

Architecture

The Norman font dates to about 1160 Norman font Holy Trinity Ilfracombe.jpg
The Norman font dates to about 1160
The Elizabethan pulpit Elizabethan pulpit Holy Trinity Ilfracombe.jpg
The Elizabethan pulpit

Standing on the site of a Saxon church, the Norman church was enlarged to its present size in 1322, and the tower incorporated inside the building. Built of mostly random rubble slate walls, some rendered, with limestone dressings, the church has one of the finest wagon-roofs in the West Country dating from the 15th-century which is richly carved with bosses, angels, figures and five Green Men in a row. At the East end of the nave above the former rood screen is a ceilure or Glory, with three bays enriched by cross-ribs and much decoration. The chancel ceiling is modern by George Fellowes Prynne in 1899. [1] The square baptismal font is Norman of about 1160 and is decorated with three rosettes and ears of wheat on each face with a scalloped underside. It was moved to its present position in 1861 during the 1861-1864 restoration by John Hayward. [1] The Elizabethan pulpit has arched columns and panels containing floral motifs. The lychgate and the vestry date from 1894 [1] and are by Henry Wilson, the best pupil of J. D. Sedding. [2] [3]

The 'Glory' ceiling is 15th-century Glory ceiling Holy Trinity Ilfracombe.jpg
The 'Glory' ceiling is 15th-century
The base of the 14th-century tower Tower base Holy Trinity Ilfracombe.jpg
The base of the 14th-century tower

The first recorded Rector was Oliver de Tracey in 1263, which is also the approximate date of the first stone building on the site. Little remains of this church, ordered to be enlarged in 1321 by Walter de Stapledon, Bishop of Exeter when the nave was lengthened and the aisles added. The tower is 14th-century and is the oldest part of the building: it is low, single stage and very plain with a pointed north door and a lancet window and a low unmoulded arch opening into the nave. It is located in a north transeptal position, frequent in early North Devon churches. The north and south aisles are separated from the nave and chancel by eight bays of chamfered arches, four on each side on stunted octagonal piers; these are mid-to late 14th-century, while a piscina of the same date can be found in the chancel. The nave roof rests on stone corbels representing mythical beasts. The chapel in the north of the chancel is early 15th-century, while the aisle windows are from the Perpendicular Period. In the early 15th-century a North chapel was added. The stained glass is 19th-century and includes examples by Kempe (window in North aisle); Hardman (East window); Willement (south aisle East window) and Ballantyne (Stabb Memorial window). [2] [3]

The church has numerous monuments. [3] There is a small brass cross which commemorates six men of the parish who died during World War I. [4] In the churchyard is buried Anna Catherine Parnell, the Irish nationalist and younger sister of Charles Stewart Parnell. [5] Also in the churchyard are buried 19 British servicemen who died during World War I and whose graves are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) [6] along with those of two Belgian Foreign Nationals. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Saints' Church, Childwall</span> Church in Merseyside, England

All Saints' Church, is in Childwall, Liverpool, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and is the only medieval church remaining in the Metropolitan borough of Liverpool. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Liverpool, the archdeaconry of Liverpool and the deanery of Liverpool South – Childwall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Peter's Church, Prestbury</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Peter's Church is the parish church of Prestbury, Cheshire, England. It is probably the fourth church on the site. The third, the Norman Chapel, stands in the churchyard. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. The Norman Chapel, the lychgate and west wall, the Hearse House, and the sundial in the churchyard are listed at Grade II. It is a Church of England parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield and the deanery of Macclesfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Wilfrid's Church, Grappenhall</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Wilfrid's Church is in Church Lane, Grappenhall, a village in Warrington, Cheshire, England. It is designated by Historic England as a Grade I listed building. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Great Budworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Acton</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Mary's Church is an active Anglican parish church located in Monk's Lane, Acton, a village to the west of Nantwich, Cheshire, England. Since 1967 it has been designated a Grade I listed building. A church has been present on this site since before the time of the Domesday Survey. The tower is the oldest in Cheshire, although it had to be largely rebuilt after it fell in 1757. One unusual feature of the interior of the church is that the old stone seating around its sides has been retained. In the south aisle are some ancient carved stones dating back to the Norman era. The architectural historian Alec Clifton-Taylor includes the church in his list of 'best' English parish churches. In the churchyard is a tall 17th-century sundial. The church is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield and the deanery of Nantwich. Its benefice is united with those of St David, Wettenhall, St Oswald, Worleston, and St Bartholomew, Church Minshull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St James' Church, Ince</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St James' Church is in the village of Ince, Cheshire, England. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Frodsham. Its benefice is united with that of St Mary, Thornton-le-Moors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St John the Baptist's Church, Tunstall</span> Church in Lancashire, England

St John the Baptist Church is located to the northeast of the village of Tunstall, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the united benefice of East Lonsdale, in the deanery of Tunstall, the archdeaconry of Lancaster and the diocese of Blackburn. The benefice of East Lonsdale combines this church with St Peter, Leck, St Wilfrid, Melling, St James the Less, Tatham, The Good Shepherd, Lowgill, and Holy Trinity, Wray. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. Services are usually at 11:00 on 2nd & 4th Sundays, in rota with the sister church at Leck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary the Virgin's Church, Deane</span> Church in Bolton, England

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Deane, is an Anglican parish church in Deane, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It is a member of Deane deanery in the archdeaconry of Bolton, diocese of Manchester. It is a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Cuthbert's Church, Halsall</span> Church in Lancashire, England

St Cuthbert's Church is an Anglican church in Halsall, a village in Lancashire, England. It is an active parish church in the Diocese of Liverpool and the archdeaconry of Warrington. The oldest parts of the church date from the 14th century and there have been several alterations and additions. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Church, Bolton-le-Sands</span> Church in Lancashire, England

Holy Trinity Church, is in the village of Bolton-le-Sands, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Tunstall, the archdeaconry of Lancaster, and the diocese of Blackburn. Its benefice is united with that of St Mark, Nether Kellett. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St James' Church, Brindle</span> Church in Lancashire, England

St James' Church is in the village of Brindle, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Chorley, the archdeaconry of Blackburn, and the diocese of Blackburn. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St James the Less, Tatham</span> Church in Lancashire, England

The Church of St James the Less is in the village of Tatham, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Tunstall, the archdeaconry of Lancaster and the diocese of Blackburn. Its benefice is united with those of St Wilfrid, Melling, St John the Baptist, Tunstall, St Peter, Leck, the Good Shepherd, Lowgill, and Holy Trinity, Wray, to form the benefice of East Lonsdale. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building. It stands above the flood plain of the River Wenning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Church, Hoghton</span> Church in Lancashire, England

Holy Trinity Church is in the village of Hoghton, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Leyland, the archdeaconry of Blackburn, and the diocese of Blackburn. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building. It is a Commissioners' church, having received a grant towards its construction from the Church Building Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Michael's Church, Hulme Walfield</span> Church in Cheshire, England

St Michael's Church is in Giantswood Lane, Hulme Walfield, Cheshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Congleton, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield, and the diocese of Chester. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building. The authors of the Buildings of England series comment that it is "an attractive building, and one for which money must have been spent generously".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Michael's Church, Aughton</span> Church in Lancashire, England

St Michael's Church is in Church Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Ormskirk, the archdeaconry of Wigan & West Lancashire, and the diocese of Liverpool. Its benefice is united with that of Holy Trinity, Bickerstaffe. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary the Virgin's Church, Bromfield</span> Church in Shropshire, England

St Mary the Virgin's Church is a former priory church in the village of Bromfield, Shropshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Ludlow, the archdeaconry of Ludlow, and the diocese of Hereford. Its benefice is united with those of 5 other parishes to form the Bromfield Benefice. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Saints Church, Claverley</span> Church in Shropshire, England

All Saints Church is in the village of Claverley, Shropshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Bridgnorth, the archdeaconry of Ludlow, and the diocese of Hereford. Its benefice is united with that of Holy Innocents, Tuck Hill. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall</span> Church in Eccleshall, United Kingdom

Holy Trinity Church in Eccleshall, Staffordshire, England, is a Grade I listed Anglican church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Peter, Shirwell</span> Church in Devon, England

The Church of St Peter is the 13th-century Anglican parish church for the village of Shirwell in North Devon. It is a Grade I listed building and comes under the Diocese of Exeter. The family church of the Chichester Family who lived locally, the aviator and sailor Sir Francis Chichester, who was born in Shirwell, is buried in the churchyard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Church, Barnstaple</span> Church in Devon, England

Holy Trinity is an Anglican parish church for Barnstaple in Devon. Dating from 1867 with an earlier tower from 1843 to 1845, the church comes under the Diocese of Exeter and has been a Grade II* listed building since 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Mary and St Benedict, Buckland Brewer</span> Church in Devon, England

St Mary and St Benedict is the Church of England parish church for the village of Buckland Brewer near Bideford in North Devon. It is part of the benefice of the Hartland Coast Team Ministry. This falls within Hartland Deanery, in the Archdeaconry of Barnstaple in the Diocese of Exeter. Begun in the 14th-century with 15th-century additions and retaining several architectural features from the first church of about 1100, the building was much restored in the 19th-century and has been a Grade II* listed building on the Register of Historic England since 1958.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Historic England. "The Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Ilfracombe (1208207)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 The Pilgrim's Guide to Devon's Churches, Cloister Books (2008) pg 103
  3. 1 2 3 Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England: North Devon, Penguin Books (1952) pgs 104-106
  4. Small Cross in Holy Trinity Church, Ilfracombe - Imperial War Museum - War Memorials Register
  5. Boylan, Henry, A Dictionary of Irish Biography (3. ed.). Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. (1998) ISBN   0717125076
  6. Commonwealth War Graves Holy Trinity Churchyard - Traces of War database
  7. Ilfracombe (Holy Trinity) Churchyard - Commonwealth War Graves Commission database