Holy Trinity Church is located at The Ring, Bracknell, RG12 1HD.
Holy Trinity Church was originally built to serve the small village of Bracknell Street. Thanks mainly to the improvement in communications, brought about by the railways, this part of Berkshire was becoming a popular place to live. The whole area was undergoing rapid development. A new ecclesiastical parish of Bracknell was created, independent from Easthampstead, and plans made to open the new Church in 1852. In 1851, land was purchased from Lord Braybrook, Lord of the Manor of Warfield,following an appeal to the public for funds. This purchase is commemorated by the plaque hung on the south wall.
Under the guidance of Architects Coe and Goodwin of Sydenham, and funding by public giving, the Church was built in the Early English style of the Middle Ages. The design is unusual, with the tower built on the north east corner instead of in the traditional position at the west end.
The Church’s Exterior
Approaching the Church through the lychgate at the north west corner of the churchyard, it may be seen that the Church is faced with knapped (or split) flints with sandstone dressings. Flint is the traditional finish for many early buildings. However, at this time, Bracknell was the centre of a huge brick industry and the Church is actually constructed of brick. The sandstone and slates for the roof would have been transported by rail, though Bracknell did not have its own station until 1856.
Inside The Church
Entering the Church through the north west porch, see how the great wooden roof is supported on massive sandstone pillars with pointed arches, echoed in the shallower curves of the window frames. Some of the pillar tops (capitals) are beautifully carved in naturalistic designs.
Looking to the right, there is the stone font for baptisms, with its ornately carved canopy, and beyond it the children's stained glass window. The use of materials that retain their natural look and colour when crafted is an important feature of the Church with its burnished brass, carved stone and polished wood and colourful ceramic floor tiles. All the windows were originally of plain glass, and have been gradually replaced with stained glass. The simplicity of the plain glass in the west window contrasts with the intensely coloured stained glass Victorian depiction of the crucifixion in the east window.
Looking to the left, the people's part of the Church, the nave is broad with oak pews dating from 1910. In the north east corner the vestry is situated in the base of the tower and adjacent to it, the choir stalls and sanctuary. The richness of design and decoration, with gold highlights, emphasises the importance and significance of the altar in worship. The seats for the clergy (sedilia) and the alcove on the left echo Church fittings of the Middle Ages.
The Lady Chapel, situated next to the chancel, has memorials to the fallen in past wars. Despite the fact that many more men were lost in World War 1 than in World War 11, there are twice as many men listed for World War 11, reflecting the losses from all three services and The Royal British Legion, of Bracknell's rapidly growing population. The south window of the transept depicts the origins of Christianity in the area, St Birinus preaching to King Cynegils of the West Saxons in AD634. This window commemorates Canon Herbert Barnett, (the face of Birinus is actually that of the Canon), who was vicar for over forty years.
The Church has a variety of commemorative brass plaques, some to the ordinary people who served their community. One is to Richard Tranter who served in the company of HMS Pathfinder and met with a fatal accident. Others mark the service of the Church organists of whom only four have served, spanning 150 years.
The Churchyard
The churchyard Yews stand sheltering the small plot that remains of Holy Trinity churchyard, where cremated remains are still interred. Burials ceased here in 1876 and today are made in the more tranquil setting of Larges Lane Cemetery. The needs of the community are being served by the purpose-built Langley Hall to the south of the Church. Amidst all the development of this thriving town, Holy Trinity Church continues to serve its community and plans to remain a community Church.
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