Holy Trinity Church, Bridlington

Holy Trinity Church
Church of the Holy Trinity, Bridlington
Exterior view of Holy Trinity Church in Bridlington showing the northwest steeple, nave, and aisle.
Exterior of Holy Trinity Church
54°05′12″N 0°11′05″W / 54.08679°N 0.18481°W / 54.08679; -0.18481
TA 18827 67174
AddressPromenade, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO15 2PJ
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
Websitewww.achurchnearyou.com/church/19079/
History
StatusGrade II listed building
Founded1870
FounderRev. Y. G. Lloyd-Graeme
DedicationHoly Trinity
Consecrated1871
Architecture
Architect(s)Frederick Stead Brodrick and R. G. Smith
Architectural type
Parish church
StyleGothic Revival (Early English / Late 13th-century)
Years built
1870–1871
Groundbreaking1870
Completed1871
Construction cost
£7,000
Specifications
Capacity900
MaterialsBusca Gill rock-faced stone with Whitby stone dressings
Administration
DioceseDiocese of York
ParishBridlington

Holy Trinity Church is a Grade II listed Church of England parish church located on the Promenade in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Built between 1870 and 1871 in the Early English Gothic Revival style, the building historically served an independent parish before becoming part of the Christ Church Bridlington Network.

History

Background and construction

By the mid-19th century, the expansion of Bridlington Quay as a commercial port and seaside resort increased demand for local church seating, particularly unrented free seats for lower-income residents, mariners, and visitors.

The foundation stone was laid in March 1870.[1] Construction was funded by public subscription, supported by the Reverend Yarburgh George Lloyd-Graeme (1814–1890) of Sewerby House. Lloyd-Graeme, who also funded the nearby Lloyd Hospital, contributed toward the £7,000 construction cost and donated a peal of three bells.

The church was consecrated on 15 August 1871, providing seating for 900 people.[1] On 20 January 1874, an Order in Council formally established Holy Trinity as an ecclesiastical parish, formed from parts of Bridlington, Christ Church, and Sewerby.[2]

Maritime connections

The period of construction coincided with the Great Gale of 10 February 1871, a severe storm off Bridlington Bay that resulted in the loss of over 70 mariners and six local lifeboatmen.[3] Following its completion, the church's spire served as a landmark for vessel navigation into Bridlington Harbour.

Listing

The building was listed Grade II on 9 January 1976.[4]

Architecture and fittings

Exterior and layout

The church was designed by architects Frederick Stead Brodrick (1847–1927), nephew of Cuthbert Brodrick, and Richard George Smith (fl. 1870–1882), surveyor to Hull Council.

Constructed from rock-faced Busca Gill stone with Whitby stone dressings, the plan comprises a four-bay nave with lean-to aisles, a clerestory with geometrical quatrefoils, a chancel, a west porch, a north vestry, and a two-stage northwest tower with a ribbed, recessed spire.

Interior and stained glass

The nave arcades feature octagonal stone piers beneath a plastered interior. The original Victorian pews include square-headed ends and integral iron umbrella stands. Heating was originally supplied by cast-iron floor radiators manufactured by Wright Brothers of Sheffield.

Stained glass includes two windows by Hardman & Co. and three chancel windows installed between 1917 and 1921 by Herbert William Bryans.

Pipe organ

A three-manual pipe organ is situated on the north side of the chancel. It was restored in 1949 by the John Compton Organ Co.[5]

In 1968, the organ was rebuilt by Laycock & Bannister of Keighley.[5] The rebuild was dedicated to Wing Commander O. W. Clapp, who served as churchwarden from 1956 to 1976.[6]

2024 Parish restructuring

In August 2024, the Diocese of York reorganized the parish boundaries in Bridlington.[7] The independent parish of Holy Trinity was dissolved, with the church building incorporated into the Christ Church Bridlington Network, while portions of the former parish area were transferred to Bridlington Priory.[7]

Holy Trinity continues as a worship venue within the Christ Church network.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Consecration of Holy Trinity Church, Bridlington Quay". Yorkshire Gazette. 19 August 1871. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. ↑ "At the Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, the 20th day of January 1874". The London Gazette. No. 24057. 23 January 1874. p. 312.
  3. ↑ "Bridlington RNLI to commemorate the Great Gale of 1871". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Historic England. "Church of the Holy Trinity (1083627)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  5. 1 2 "NPOR [N00926] - East Riding of Yorkshire, Bridlington, Holy Trinity". National Pipe Organ Register. British Institute of Organ Studies. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Organ Dedicated to Former Churchwarden". Bridlington Free Press. 24 October 1968. p. 4.
  7. 1 2 "New parish boundaries increase for Bridlington Priory". Bridlington Echo. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "Welcome to Christ Church Network Bridlington". Christ Church Network. Retrieved 3 August 2026.

54°05′12″N 0°11′06″W / 54.0867°N 0.1849°W / 54.0867; -0.1849