Work Progressing Well At Holy Trinity Church As Appeal Fund Continues

Published on: 2 Dec, 2015
Updated on: 2 Dec, 2015

A progress report from Holy Trinity Church in Guildford High Street on its restoration work and its Big Appeal fund

Most people will have seen the tower of Holy Trinity covered in scaffolding and sheeting and looking oddly alien above the skyline.

External scaffolding beginning to come down.

A large part of the church has been invisible behind hoarding all summer, but work around the roof and tower is going well and some of the scaffolding is already down.

Damage to stone and brickwork which has now been repaired.

Damaged stones, bricks and mortar have been repaired or replaced. The building is now water-tight, with much larger hoppers and down-pipes to drain rainwater away.

Inside, the area of ceiling above the organ which collapsed turned out to be much more badly damaged than was thought, but that too has been repaired.

The whole of the nave has been painted and is looking sparkling and fresh for the December rush of carol services and other events.

While the scaffolding to the tower is still up, the building team will take the opportunity to repair the clock face.

The rotted wooden mount behind the clock face.

The wooden mount has rotted and the eagle and partridge of the Onslow family crest are hanging on, almost literally, by a wing and a prayer.

The Onslow crest on top of the clock face. An eagle crouching over a partridge. Much in need of repair and refurbishment.

There’s plenty more to do. One of the key projects is repairing the steps up from the High Street to the west and north doors.

New stainless steel 4in diameter pipe feeding off the roof into the hopper and downpipe.

The north steps were built for the new church in the 1750s, to make a grand entrance from the High Street. They were used for many years for formal announcements, processions and weddings but have recently been closed for safety reasons.

The west steps were added later and are the main access into the church for many visitors.

The wall paintings in the apse still need to be cleaned, the south-west porch (the church’s entrance for disabled people) and stairs need painting, the ceiling needs to be insulated, facilities for children and visiting performers need to be improved.

All this is not just for the congregation but for the thousands of other people who come to Holy Trinity each year for all sorts of reasons: concerts, plays, lectures, craft fairs, Saturday morning coffee, meetings, as tourists, and so on.

A stonemason at work.

The current works were helped by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and other grants, but Holy Trinity has to raise more money for these other projects.

The Big Appeal was launched in mid-October when the congregation were invited to contribute.

By November 22 the stunning total of £215,000 had been given or promised, towards a total target of £500,000.

Inside the tower.

Grants continue to be applied for and the church is now asking other people and organisations to help.

After the church collapsed in 1740 it was rebuilt by the hard work of the congregation, who were about half of the townspeople. Now, 250 years later, if half the population of Guildford gave £10 each the church would reach its target!

Repairing stonework on the edge of the roof.

Followers on Twitter and ‘likes’ on Facebook also help to show public support for the works, which is really valuable when grants are applied for.

On Saturday, December 12, Shoppers Relief will be held in the church in aid of the Big Appeal.

Visitors are invited to have a break from shopping, enjoy coffee and cake while volunteers wrap your presents, and your children to enjoy activities, listen to carols, and buy gifts and greenery.

On Saturday, January 9, there will be a fundraising concert by the Santiago Quartet, featuring music by British and Latin American composers, including Guildford composer, Will Todd.

To donate go to www.bitly.com/htbigappeal

Visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityBigAppeal

Follow on Twitter www.twitter.com/HT_BigAppeal

Share This Post