Excerpts from:

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ~ 'A Brief history of over 150 years of witness'
(From a booklet originally compiled  in 1985 by Rev Fred Burningham)

In 1835 this church was built as a Chapel of Ease to St Clement's Church, and dedicated to the Holy Trinity by the Reverend John Thomas Nottidge, M.A., patron and rector of St. Clement's and St. Helen's churches. He erected it at his own expense, at a cost of £2,400. The consecration was carried out by the Bishop of Sodor and Man acting for the Bishop of Norwich. At that time the population of the parish was 2326, living in 573 houses. The parishes of St. Clement's and Holy Trinity were separated in 1838.

1840's
The first incumbent was the Reverend Richard Mosley, who stayed until June 1842. The first Vestry meeting was held on 10th August 1837, when Mr Isaac Baker was appointed Vicar's Warden and Mr John Roberts, People's Warden. In August 1843 the Reverend John William Reeve of Wangford became Vicar, leaving in 1846 when he was appointed to the Portman Chapel, Baker Street' London. Eventually he became a Canon of Bristol Cathedral where there is a memorial tablet to him. From September 1846 to January 1848 the Reverend C. F. Champneys was Curate in Charge until a new Vicar was selected.

The Reverend F. H Maude, the first incumbent about whom we have much information available, arrived in January 1848 and stayed for 38 years, being the longest serving incumbent in Holy Trinity's history. At the beginning of his ministry he was a strict Evangelical, preaching in a black gown, but afterwards he developed into a High Churchman, becoming a prominent member of the English Church Union. He was a popular preacher, who in 1879 preached a long course of sermons entitled 'Future punishment not eternal', which attracted crowded congregations. Mr Maude was responsible for building the Church Day Schools in Trinity Street, costing nearly £2000, and the Vicarage at the top of Bishop's Hill in 1868, at a cost of £1500. He also planted the lime trees in the churchyard. At that time the Church was shorter than it is now, ending where the Chancel steps now stand.

In November 1873 the seating in the Church was recorded as follows.

Between 1865 and 1882, the average congregation morning and evening was 450-500, and on one occasion reached 904. A very tall pulpit then stood in the middle of the church.

In May 1894 plans were prepared for the alteration and improvement of Holy Trinity. In the autumn of that year it was reported that mailers were going ahead, albeit slowly, as the Archdeacon objected to the proposed outside staircases. Nevertheless, by December fund-raising was well underway, and on 5th January 1896, after many months of holding services in the church hall, the church was re-opened by the Bishop of Norwich. In April of that year £600 was still needed to finish paying for the improvements. One of the churchwardens, Mr G. A. Biddell, gave a further £100 to the amount he had already subscribed, plus one-quarter of all other contributions. The final total cost was £3000. In 1898 the interior of the unaltered part of the church was repainted at a total cost of£73.18.0, and the windows on the south and west sides replaced by coloured 'cathederal' glass. A note in the church magazine at the time stated that "...as the panes on the Fore Hamlet side are constantly being broken by stones, they would be protected by wire mesh."

1900's
In 1909 an appeal was made for funds to purchase an organ, which was installed in the north aisle
at a cost of £450, and dedicated at a special service on 5th August. An appeal was also launched for a peel of tubular bells, which would cost £120. However this appears only to have received £1 3.0.1½p. and the scheme was abandoned. This must have been one of the very few occasions when Holy Trinity had failed to reach its financial target.

Wartime
September 1927 saw the arrival of the Reverend W. A. Gray, who again stayed for a relatively long period - until October 1953. His ministry, among other things, spanned the years of the Second World War, when sadly the Vicarage (In Rosehill Rd) was badly damaged by a bomb and a friend of the family staying at the house was killed.
During the war years the east window was removed and taken to a place of safety until hostilities ceased. A number of young men connected with the church also lost their lives during the war, and their names are recorded on a tablet at the base of the 1914/18 memorial. 

1950's
After Mr Gray moved to Hasketon, there was a two-year interregnum, during which time there was much talk of Holy Trinity being closed and the parish amalgamated with St Clement's church. However, the life of the church was maintained during this period, by a mixture of services being taken by visiting clergy and the then Lay Reader Mr T. A. Heath, and the congregation working on a 'do-it-yourself' basis for other activities, until the arrival of the Reverend A. Charles Branch in October 1955.

View or Download the complete history HERE

Home Groups. Through friendship, Bible study and prayer, these evening groups offer support, sharing and learning, in a relaxed and informal environment. We have a number of groups running in the local area, and new members would always be welcomed.

Open Church. Val Sheppard Tel 414325 is happy to arrange to show people round the church during the week. This can be for a quiet time of personal prayer and reflection, to just sit in the church, or whatever... 

Alpha Courses. Designed to look at questions surrounding life and faith, this is a great course for both Christians and the uncommitted alike. Courses are offered during the year, and these have proven very successful in the past. Please ask for details.

Prayer Ministry. Personal prayer ministry is offered at each Sunday morning service for those who feel in need of prayer. Please feel free to speak with the minister who leads the worship, and he will be happy to sit and pray with you at the end of the service.

[Click on Photo's to enlarge]

Holy Trinity Church Centre Aisle

Holy Trinity illuminated at night

THE MEDALLIONS

The Seal of Trinity Priory
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After a gap of about three hundred, another Church of Holy Trinity was built here in Ipswich, and these medallions have been placed here as a reminder of its predecessor of the Middle Ages. 

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Description of the
WAR MEMORIAL WINDOW
Dedicated on 20th October 1920

 CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The design of the window consists of symbolical figures as described in the Book of Revelation.

No realistic picture was attempted of a subject which is beyond such representation.

In the centre, our Lord stands with arms uplifted in intercession, wearing royal and high-priestly robes, and a celestial crown.

From His cruciform nimbus, rays of glory proceed and radiate through the whole window.

Upon the throne are seen the lion and the lamb, the tribe of Judah, and the Lamb of God.

Standing on either side of the Lord are two Seraphim with veiled faces.

Proceeding out of the throne is the river of the water of life, at which Heavenly figures are seen to be drinking.

On either side are fruit-bearing trees, the leaves of which are for the healing of the nations.

The river flows into the sea of glass, mingled with fire; whereon stand the harpers of God.

Round the throne is seen the rainbow - not as seen on earth, but the complete whole, the entire bow. The rainbow itself is entirely composed of Angels.

At the bottom corners of the window are seen Saints of different centuries and countries, ascending to offer their homage and adoration to the figure of our Lord.

Amongst these figures may be seen a red cross nurse, a khaki uniformed soldier, a sailor, a Roman warrior, a Crusader, an African convert, and others with palm branches of victory.

As will be seen on inspection of the small painting, it was originally intended to have an earthly king offering his crown, but this was not included in the finished design.

The window was designed and entirely executed by Mr L Pownall, of Falmouth, Cornwall, the brother of the Vicar of Holy Trinity at that time.

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