Parish Church Of Holy Trinity

The Parish Church of Holy Trinity is an Anglican parish church located in Ilfracombe. The church features a transeptal tower and other masonry from the 13th century, with significant enlargements made around 1321 under Bishop Stapledon, which included lengthening the nave and adding aisles. The aisles were widened in the 15th century, and a northern chancel aisle was also added during this time. Restoration work was carried out by John Hayward between 1861 and 1864, and a vestry was added in 1894 by Henry Wilson.

The church is primarily constructed of random rubble slate walls, with some sections rendered, and features limestone dressings and a Welsh slate roof. The layout includes a nave with four bays and aisles, a chancel with four bays, northern and southern chancel aisles, and a northern transeptal tower, which is now partially internal due to the widening of the northern aisle. The southeast vestries are also part of the plan.

The exterior showcases windows that were entirely renewed by Hayward, mostly designed in a conventional Perpendicular style with four lights. A few original features remain, such as a small blocked window located low at the west end of the southern aisle. Notably, there is a sundial dated 1788 above the porch doorway and a plaque from 1864 commemorating the rebuilding of the southern wall. The storeyed vestries are set transeptally and include a polygonal stair turret with two-light windows on each floor, the first floor window being under a moulded pointed arch. The doorway arch, rainwater hopper, and weather vane atop the small spire on the turret exhibit a free Arts and Crafts style, similar to the lych gate to the south, also designed by Wilson.

Inside, the church features a fine set of wagon roofs, which were substantially renewed and adapted over the chancel by Fellowes Prynne in 1899. The nave roof rests on stone corbels that depict mythical beasts, which may predate the timber roof. The Victorian stained glass, attributed to Pevsner and Cherry, forms an interesting and varied collection.