Chapel Of The Holy Trinity

SK 32 SE STAUNTON HAROLD STAUNTON HAROLD PARK

1/67 Chapel of the Holy Trinity

24.11.65

GV I

Chapel, unique as a complete survival of a church built during the commonwealth. Inscription over west doors reads "In the year 1653 when all things sacred were throughout ye nation either demolisht or profaned Sir Robert Shirley Baronet, founded this church, whose singular praise it is to have done ye best things in ye worst times and hoped them in the most calamitous. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance." Begun in 1653, the church and its furnishings were - not completed until 1665. In a gothic style, but a highly wrought and careful gothic, the parts, west tower, short nave of 3 bays with clerestory and aisles, and chancel, very sharply articulated. Tower has paired bell openings with Y-tracery, battlements and pinnacles with windvanes. Body of church has embattled parapets with crocketted pinnacles over buttresses. Flat-headed traceried lights to clerestory. Other windows in an early decorated style.

Elaborate baroque west doorway with paired tapering pilasters, swags, mannerist angels, and Shirley arms and inscription plate above. Interior has gothic-style architecture but fittings are all in Jacobean character. Original west door, ornate west screen with pierced central archway and side arches, pierced leaf scroll frieze above and panelled base. Above this, the organ loft incorporating Shirley arms in broken segmental pediment.Schmidt organ, case of 1686. Box pews, wall panelling and casing for piers. Plain panels to nave, more ornate in chancel. 2-decker pulpit, chancel screen, wrought iron, by Robert Bakewell, 1711, 4 hatchments over. Ceiling painted throughout, a curious depiction of clouds and elements - the creation out of chaos, signed by Samuel and Zachary Kink, and dated 1655. Communion table also original c1660-65.

Listing NGR: SK3799420870