Holy Trinity Church

Lord Penrhyn of Wicken Park built the Church in 1853 at a cost of £2,300 to meet the needs of the increased population that accompanied the growth of the village. The architect was Benjamin Ferry and it was consecrated in 1854 as a ‘Chapel of Ease’. Until then people had walked to St Guthlac’s Church, Passenham to worship. The Church has been a Grade II listed building since 1988.

Oil lamps provided the initial source of lighting and the church heating was driven by a boiler that required stoking even during services, and often in the middle of a sermon! The Stoker was also responsible for tending the churchyard and graves and the stoke hole, known as the ‘Glory Hole’, was sited under the vestry. Being originally High Church incense was used at Services, the Church had a Lady Altar and Stations of the Cross around the Church. Services were held at 7am and 8am, Holy Communion at 10am with evening worship at 6pm.

Weddings were held at St Guthlac’s, Passenham until the 1940s because the Church was not licensed to solemnize weddings and baptisms. The first registered marriage was between Edna Cattel and John Elwood. The first baby to be baptised was Betty Faith Ridgway in 1922 and used the font which was then sited by the main door.

The Church once had three bells, with a team of ringers who operated them in the order three, two, one for ten minutes. Remarkably, Mr Rogers when he led the bell-ringers brought his alarm clock to time them. A pump organ was installed and the organist required the services of an organ-blower which sometimes led to problems when they failed to be vigilant in their duty.

The Revd George Marie Capell (1870 – 1915) is, to date, the longest serving Rector of the Parish with George Ostler serving as organist for 40 years alongside him.

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