Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, York

City of York
Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, York

If you have arrived here from a search engine, this site uses frames. If your server supports frames, link here.

You will then need to navigate back to this page using the County Index

The church is run by the Churches Conservation Trust: http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/

The church's own website is well worth a visit, and is at: http://yorkholytrinity.org.uk/

These pictures, and much of the text below, is taken both from the Church website, (URL above), and the historical and archaeological reports downloadable from the church website. Both repay reading.

The pulpit
This was made in 1695 at a cost of Ł6, and ironwork for it cost five shillings in the following year. It is of oak with a pine cornice, and is octagonal in shape. Each face has two recessed panels with a similar panel in the base. As a "two-decker", each level provides space for the reading of lessons and the preaching of sermons. The pulpit was remodelled in 1785, and has recently been restored.

The box pews
The box pews, unique in York, are exceptionally fine and "swell around the nave arcades". (Howells 1909) Over many centuries the floor level has been both raised and lowered, and the 18th century box pews are thought possibly to date from about 1738, and are the work of one Joseph Barton which incorporated earlier 17th century panelling. Fortunately the Victorians were denied the thorough "restoration" of the church they so delighted in, and the Yorkshire Archaeological Society undertook such a careful restoration of the box pews, that even the door catches and hinges were faithfully repaired. Detail of the restoration work can be seen in the public library in York.

Further restoration in 1973 provided a new concrete floor under the pews, so the quote from W D Howells in his Seven English Cities in 1909 which compared the box pews to the swell of the sea, is not now quite so apt.

The altar rails and table
Also very much of the period, dating from 1715, and the work of a local carpenter, John Headlam. The altar table dates from 1739, by James Smith, another local carpenter.

Tables behind the altar
Also of the period containing, inter alia, the Ten Commandments, although not a great deal of detail is available at present.

The pictures below have been taken from
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/york-holy-trinity-church-pictures/
and are but a taste of the wealth of detail to be found there for this church. Please visit and see for yourself.

For a larger version of this picture,
visit the Churches Conservation Trust website.

The Church
Approached through a gateway off Goodramgate, Holy Trinity hides in a small, secluded, leafy churchyard, with the Minster towering behind. It is York’s hidden gem a tranquil haven among the busy city streets. Dating mostly from the 15th century, Holy Trinity is an unpretentious building. The floors are uneven, and the arcades slightly askew. The colour of the stone and the gentle light from the stained glass give enormous warmth and charm to the interior. The east window has marvellous stained glass. Donated in the early 1470s by the Reverend John Walker, rector of the church, this is a series of five lovely panels. In the central light, below the figures of the Holy Trinity, is the kneeling figure of John Walker himself. There is also a particularly fine representation of St Christopher carrying the Christ Child. The furnishings date mostly from the 17th and 18th centuries. An interesting collection of monuments and memorials paints a picture of life in this busy city throughout the ages. Two boards, with heads shaped like grandfather clocks, record the names of Lord Mayors of the city, including George Hudson, ‘The Railway King’, who made York a major railway centre in the 19th century.

This is a well-visited church with much to explore.

ACCESS :
Holy Trinity Church, 70 Goodramgate, York, North Yorkshire. YO1 7LF

Opening hours:

10.00am to 5.00pm Monday
9.00am to 5.00pm Tuesday to Friday
10am to 5pm Saturday
!2 noon to 5pm Sunday

Directions: In York city centre, off Goodramgate.
King’s Square and Shambles 200yds.

Transport: Park and Ride available on all major routes into the city (recommended).

Map reference : OS Ref no: SE 605522

Pictures kindly supplied by
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/york-holy-trinity-church-pictures/

and
http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/

Please see our Home Page for important copyright notice

SEARCH THIS SITE

This site has been constructed by, and remains the copyright of, its authors,
Edwin and Sheila Macadam,
Shelwin, 30, Eynsham Road, Botley,
Oxford OX2 9BP

The altar rails and table Also very much of the period, dating from 1715, and the work of a local carpenter, John Headlam. The altar table dates from 1739, by James Smith, another local carpenter.

The altar rails and table
Also very much of the period, dating from 1715, and the work of a local carpenter, John Headlam. The altar table dates from 1739, by James Smith, another local carpenter.