Church Of Holy Trinity And Boundary Wall

Church of Holy Trinity and Boundary Wall

This is a parish church of considerable complexity, with building phases ranging from the 11th century through to 1841, constructed in ashlar, random, coursed and herringbone rubble, brick, rendering, pebbledash and slate roofs. The church comprises a west tower, north aisle and lady chapel, nave, chancel, south chancel chapel, and south porch.

The west tower rises in three stages. The first two stages are of rubble with prominent ashlar quoins that were re-cut in 1983, while the upper stage is of stone ashlar. Two moulded stringcourses run horizontally, with an eaves band and moulded crenellated parapet. Two gargoyles project to the west. The south side of the first stage has a single round-headed unglazed opening above which is a clock. To the west is a round-headed chamfered window with hoodmould. The third stage contains four 15th-century cove-moulded and rebated openings with hoodmoulds, each featuring cusped round-headed double louvred lancets with Decorated tracery.

The north aisle extends over four bays. Its east end has a moulded crenellated parapet and eaves band, with a single 19th-century chamfered and rebated opening containing a squat triple Decorated lancet with cusped heads and two trefoils above. The north side features a 16th-century square-headed cove-moulded and rebated opening with double round-headed lancets to the east. To the west is a 14th-century square-headed chamfered opening with hoodmould containing a restored triple lancet with ogee heads. Further west is a 19th-century square-headed and chamfered opening with hoodmould containing double ogee-headed lancets with Decorated tracery. All windows have chamfered mullions. The west bay includes a 20th-century lean-to boiler house in white brick with a stack. The parapet to the west is plain, set above an earlier eaves band.

The nave clerestorey extends over three bays and is of irregularly coursed ashlar with a moulded eaves band, moulded crenellated parapet, and crenellated gable with cross. It has three 16th-century square-headed chamfered and rebated openings on each side, all containing round-headed double lancets with coved mullions.

The chancel comprises two bays with a pentagonal apse added in 1841. The apse is constructed of brick with pebbledash rendering and features semicircular nodal buttresses with moulded bases and capitals, moulded eaves, and hipped slate roof. The apse has three round-headed and chamfered windows, above which rises a gable with moulded ashlar parapet and cross.

The south chancel chapel, also of 1841, is probably brick with pebbledash rendering. It extends over two bays with a plinth and moulded crenellated ashlar parapet. The east and west ends have chamfered and rebated reveals with hoodmoulds, each containing a triple lancet with double trefoil head. The south side displays a re-set 14th-century cusped ogee-headed doorway with ogee hoodmould, crocketed finial and mask stops, containing a 19th-century close-boarded door. This is flanked by two 19th-century square-headed chamfered openings, each containing single cusped ogee lancets with mouchettes in timber.

The south side of the nave extends over three bays and is constructed of herringbone and coursed rubble. To the west, above the south porch, is a 19th-century square-headed chamfered opening with hoodmould containing a cusped single lancet. To the right is a 15th-century square-headed chamfered reveal with hoodmould containing a cusped ogee-headed double lancet.

The south porch dates to the 14th century and is built of ashlar. It has a moulded plinth, stringcourse, eaves band, and moulded crenellated parapet. The gable is coped with corner buttresses, crocketed finials and cross. Single square openings face east and west. The doorway is double chamfered and rebated with a moulded gabled hoodmould. The interior contains stone benches, three octagonal corbels to each side, and a 20th-century timber roof.

The interior of the church contains numerous features of interest. The nave north arcade comprises two bays dating to the 14th century, with a central octagonal pier featuring a moulded octagonal base and crocketed capital. Keeled responds flank it, that to the east with a simple crocketed capital. Double chamfered and rebated arches with hoodmoulds and central mask stops span between. A roof of circa 1920 features flat moulded principal timbers and three redundant corbels.

The font is a 19th-century replica of a Norman original, with interlaced arcading, zigzag, cable moulding and other ornament. A 19th-century timber pulpit with traceried panels stands alongside a plain timber lectern. The pews are chamfered 19th-century work with traceried panels. Classical memorial tablets date to 1772, 1838, and 1843, with one of Egyptian style from 1844. Four 20th-century brasses are also present.

The tower arch is 11th-century work, restored in the 19th century, and is semicircular with chevron hoodmould. Below the tower are round-headed west windows with stained glass of 1860 by Wailes, and a 19th-century benefactions board. To the south is a 14th-century incised slab, and to the north a classical wall monument of 1778. The base of the original Norman font also survives.

The north aisle is rendered. Its west bay is enclosed by a matchboard screen to form a vestry. The west wall contains a cast-iron safe door of 18th-century date with two leaves, each featuring a round-headed panel. The roof dates to 1885 and features chamfered timbers. A board commemorates the erection of the apse and south chapel in 1841. A 20th-century timber war memorial cross stands to the west, with a classical wall tablet of 1828 to the north. Plain 19th-century pews are present throughout.

The chancel arch is 11th-century work with a semicircular arch, two orders of chevrons, circular imposts with incised block capitals and moulded circular bases. The chancel north side has a single bay 15th-century arcade with double chamfered and rebated work, while the south side has a 19th-century single bay arcade with double chamfered and rebated arch with moulded octagonal imposts. Classical tablets to the north date from 1803, 1805, and 1832; those to the south from 1792. Chamfered 19th-century benches and desks are present.

The apse has a double rebated semicircular arch with half-column responds, plain capitals and bases. Stained glass dating from 1876–79 by Wailes is installed here. The reredos comprises early 17th-century carved panelling with intermediate figure-carved crocketed buttresses, re-used in the 19th century. An 18th-century altar rail features four tapered rectangular panelled, carved balusters.

The south chancel chapel is of square plan, rendered and ceiled.

The boundary wall extends along Church Lane and Church Street. It features a large re-used ashlar plinth, brick construction, and triangular ashlar coping. A pair of 19th-century cast-iron gateposts with flower finials is accompanied by decorative cast-iron spearhead gates. An early 20th-century wrought-iron overthrow with decorative domed square lantern completes the ensemble.