Holy Trinity Church, Coventry, is a parish church of the Church of England in Coventry City Centre, West Midlands, England.
Above the chancel arch is an impressive Doom wall-painting.
History
The church dates from the 12th century and is the only Medieval church in Coventry that is still complete. It is long and has a spire high, one of the tallest non-cathedral spires in the UK.
The church was restored in 1665–1668, and the tower was recased in 1826 by Thomas Rickman. The east end was rebuilt in 1786 and the west front by Richard Charles Hussey in 1843.
The inside of the church was restored by George Gilbert Scott in 1854.
Doom painting
The doom painting was painted above the tower arch in 1430s. It was discovered in 1831, covered by a lime wash, and was then restored and varnished over by David Gee. In the years following, the varnish darkened and hid the painting from view again. In 1995, conservation and restoration work was begun and the painting was revealed in 2004.
Organ
The church had a pipe organ which had evolved over a long period of time with work by many builders, the last by Henry Willis and Sons. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
History
1526: This is the earliest recorded organ, built by John Howe and John Clynmowe of London for £30. In the late 16th century it was dismantled as the Puritan clergy at Holy Trinity disapproved of organs. 1631: Samuel Buggs (Vicar), "procured" a replacement instrument. 1640s: Puritans back in charge, organ sold for £30. 1732: The German Thomas Swarbrick, who also supplied a new organ for Coventry Cathedral (Old Cathedral), built one for Holy Trinity for £600. It was placed upon a gallery erected for it across the Nave and had 2 manuals. 1829: Swell and pedal added. 1855–1861: As part of the George Gilbert Scott restoration of the church, a new organ chamber was built in the westernmost bay of the south chancel aisle. This instrument of 3 manuals plus pedals, was built by Forster and Andrews for £800. 1900: Rebuilt by W. Hill & Sons with some of the old work incorporated; 4 manuals. 1923: Electric blowing chest added. 1933: J. Charles Lee of Coventry added pneumatic pistons. 1961: Rebuilt for £12,200 by the firm of Henry Willis, the organ contained 59 speaking stops, each with 61 pipes, along with 30 couplers and 3 tremolos. 2007: Organ was dismantled, due to it being beyond repair. A funding appeal has been launched for a new organ, which will cost approximately £600,000.
List of organists
List of assistant organists
Sullivan D.T. Mortimer ???? – ca.1900 (afterwards organist of St. Mary's Church, Atherstone) Norman Coke-Jephcott 1909–1911 Harold Carpenter c.1950–60 Peter Bourton c.1954–64. Afterwards Organist at St Marks, Bilton, Rugby.
Notable clergy
Rob Budd, curate 2013–2016
Tony Burford, curate
Hennie Johnston, curate 2003–2007
James Hill, curate 2011–2013
Anthony Francis Williams, curate 1950–1962
Roy Windmill, curate 1967–1971
List of Vicars
Dates listed are of appointment, unless otherwise noted.
Ralph de Sove, (no dates known) Henry de Harenhale, 1298 John de Holland, 1334 John Greneburgh, 1346 Egidius Fillilod, 1349 William Swet, 1380 John de Amcotes, 1381 John Brideston, (no dates known) William Gamell, 1383 Nicholas Crosloy, 1421 John Meneley, 1443 Thomas Bowde, (no dates known) Thomas Orton, 1508 Richard Collett, (no dates known) Nicholas Darington, 1527 Roger Capp, (no dates known) William Benet, 1546 George Brooche, 1554 George Cheston, 1568 Anthony Fletcher, 1576 Humphrey Fenne, 1577 Richard Eaton, 1590 Thomas Cooper, 1604 Samuel Gibson, 1610 John Staresmore, 1618 Samuel Buggs, 1626 Henry Carpenter, 1633 Joseph Brown, 1636 Robert Proctor, 1638 John Bryan, 1644 Nathaniel Wanley, 1662 Samuel Barton, 1680 Jonathan Kimberley, 1681 Samuel Kimberley, 1712 John Macklin, 1734 Nathaniel Gerard, 1752 Joseph Rann, 1773 John Davies, 1811 Walter Farquhar Hook, 1828–1837 (afterwards Vicar of Leeds Parish Church) John Howells, 1837 William Drake, 1857 Alfred William Wilson, 1864 Francis M. Beaumont, 1872–1912 R. Basil Littlewood, 1912 Acland F. O'N. Williams, 1929 Graham W. Clitheroe, 1931 Lawrence Jackson, 1965–1973 (later Provost of Blackburn) Nigel Douglas Blayney Abbott, 1973–1980 (later Provost of Oban) Graham Dow, 1981–1992 (later Bishop of Carlisle) David Andrew Urquhart, 1992–2000 (later Bishop of Birmingham) Gordon Keith Sinclair, 2001–2007 (later Bishop of Birkenhead) David Mayhew, 2009–2016 Graeme Anderson, 2017-2021 Richard Hibbert, from 2022