Holy Trinity Church, Dorchester

Introduction

Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester, within the Diocese of Plymouth, was built in 1875-6 in the Gothic Revival style by Benjamin Ferrey. The church has origins as far back as the eleventh century. The church is named in the eleventh century Domesday Book.

History

The church was rebuilt in 1876 by Benjamin Ferrey for the Church of England, possibly incorporating fabric from the earlier church. London architect Henry Hall may have been responsible for the initial plans, but Ferrey produced the final plans.

The church was completed in 1876 to the design of Benjamin Ferrey, who also designed All Saints church and the Town Hall. A list of clergy who have served the church since 1302 is carved on wooden panelling at the west end.

The historic dedication of the Holy Trinity was retained and the title of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs was added as secondary patron. The reredos was restored in c1950 and again in 2009, and a small extension was added to the north-east side in the late C20.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is constructed of Portland ashlar with Bath stone or Hamstone dressings under a pitched slate roof. The plan comprises a broad nave flanked by aisles, a Lady Chapel at the east end of the north aisle, a chancel and a transeptal vestry to the north. The nave and chancel are of the same height, separated only by a stone gable coping. The interior is painted white with exposed stone detailing.

The nave has a four-bay arcade with alternating octagonal and round piers. The chancel arch has short detached shafts of Purbeck that rise from elaborate corbels with foliate carving. The church contains a number of late-C18 to mid-C19 monuments from the previous Holy Trinity Church. The stained glass in the south aisle is by Charles Eamer Kempe.

The church has a late-C19 alabaster pulpit with a carved figure in relief on the front panel. The church has an octagonal font with an oval marble bowl carried on clustered marble columns. The sanctuary has a carved and gilded timber reredos attributed to Kempe or one of his contemporaries, installed in 1897.

The reredos depicts the Crucifixion, the appearance of Christ to Mary Magdalene, and the appearance of the risen Lord at Emmaus. Figures of St Peter and St Paul stand on either side of the reredos. A line of saints runs below the reredos panels, including St Augustine, St Aldhelm, St Osmond, St Edward, St Alban and St George.

The onyx marble altar was brought from the original Roman Catholic parish church of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. The lectern came from the Anglicans.

There is a Portland stone plaque with a carved winged angel commemorating members of the church and parish who died in the First World War. The sanctuary roof is barrel vaulted and decorated with gilded bosses.

Music and liturgy

The SATB choir meets weekly for practice and sings on most Sundays, at Christmas, in Holy Week, and at Easter. Holy Trinity does not provide a choir for Requiem Masses. The organ can be played at funerals, with the undertaker and Parish Priest helping to find an organist.

Parish life

The parish has taken part in the Dorset Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride event for many years. The parish is part of the Dorset Deanery pastoral area of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth, and it serves the town of Dorchester and the surrounding area.

Holy Trinity became the Parish Church for local Catholics in 1976 and there have been five Parish Priests since that time, together with some short-term temporary appointments. Within the multi-ethnic Parish there is St Mary’s School for 5- to 9-year-olds and a range of groups that meet to enhance the spiritual and social life of the community.

The parish has a Catholic First School, Saint Mary’s, and ministers to the local prison, Dorset County, and other hospitals. The parish is designated as a sacred pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year 2025.

The Catenians are a group of Catholic men from South Dorset who meet once a month for prayer, fellowship and fun. The parish has a St Vincent de Paul Society group. The parish has a Bible Reading Group called Walking With God. The parish has a Children’s Liturgy group.

Visiting

A pamphlet about the church's history is available at the back of the church. The church has a parish centre with rooms for hire. The church is located opposite the Horse With The Red Umbrella Cafe.