Holy Trinity Church - Stratford-upon-Avon
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N 52° 11.326 W 001° 42.556
30U E 588234 N 5782818
People have worshipped God on this site for over 1100 years. The present limestone building was begun in 1210.
Waymark Code: WM77XD
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/15/2009
Views: 14
A Church on the banks of the Avon in Stratford is first mentioned in the charter of 845, signed by Beorhtwulf (Bertulf), King of Mercia. This would have been a wooden construction. It is very likely that the Normans replaced this with a stone building but no trace of either remains. The present limestone building was begun in 1210 and was built in the shape of a cross.
The Church is approached along an avenue of lime trees, said to represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles.
On the closure of the College by Henry VIII the tithe (tax) income privileges were sold off. The duty of employing a Priest and looking after the Chancel went with the privileges. A share in them was purchased in 1605 for £440 by the son of a local glove-maker, one William Shakespeare. This, and not his ability as a poet and playwright, gave him the right of burial in the sanctuary.
From the outside, the Church building has changed little from Shakespeare's time: a wooden spire was added in 1675 only to be replaced with the present stone one in 1763. Until last century there stood a charnel house to the south of the chancel. Here the bones of those dug up to make room for new graves were laid to rest. This charnel-house, like the College building, has now gone.
Holy Trinity is a living, working Parish Church. The opening hours below are always subject to the demands of a busy parish. Scheduled closures for weddings, concerts, rehearsals, school assemblies, etc. are listed on the coming Soon web page. However, we quite often need to close at fairly short notice (e.g. for funerals). On the day concerned, these times are always listed on the Church notice board in the Churchyard. Not open for visitors on Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Summer hours are Monday-Saturday: 8.30am - 6pm, Sunday: 12.30 pm - 5 pm. Winter hours are slightly shorter. Admission is free, but they ask that those wishing to visit Shakespeare's grave make a donation of £1.50.
Building Materials: Stone
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Visit Instructions:
Logs for Medieval churches waymark must contain a date found and any details about the visit there. Also photos and other experiences related to the building are welcome.