Holy Trinity, Clapham
Holy Trinity, Clapham
Holy Trinity is a Grade II* Georgian parish church on Clapham Common North Side, in the Diocese of Southwark, long associated with the Clapham Sect and the campaign against the slave trade.
- Location
- Clapham, Greater London
- Country
- England
- County
- Greater London
- City / town
- Clapham
- Address
- Clapham Common North Side, Clapham, Greater London, SW4 0QZ
- Postcode
- SW4 0QZ
- Built
- 1774–76
- Consecrated
- 1 June 1776
- Architect
- Kenton Couse; west porch Francis Hurlbatt (1812); chancel Beresford Pite (1902–3)
- Denomination
- Church of England
- Dedication
- Holy Trinity
- Diocese
- Southwark
- Parish
- Holy Trinity, Clapham
- Grade
- II*
- Style
- Georgian classical
- Materials
- Grey stock brick with Portland stone dressings and a slate roof
- Grid reference
- TQ 291 753
- Opening hours
- Sorry, there are no regular opening times for this church.
- Access
- Accessible toilets nearby. Level access to the main areas. Non-accessible toilets in church
Overview
Historic England records a stock-brick classical church of 1774–76 by Kenton Couse, with stone quoins, window surrounds and cornice, arched windows, galleries on three sides, and a low west tower with an octagonal domed belfry. Wikipedia states that Couse was contracted to design a grey stock-brick building with Portland stone trimmings, a slate roof and a belfry topped by a small lead dome, and that the church was consecrated on 1 June 1776 by the Bishop of Ely. Francis Hurlbatt added the single-storey Doric west porch in 1812. In 1902–3 Beresford Pite replaced the original apse with a chancel, Lady Chapel to the south and vestry and offices to the north. The church was restored after Second World War damage; Purcell, Miller, Tritton adapted the interior in 1991–94.
The listing emphasises the church’s role as a preaching box and its connection with the Clapham Sect. John Thornton was a major contributor to the building; John Venn was rector from 1792 to 1813; William Wilberforce worshipped here. East windows of 1952 commemorate members of the Sect. Original fittings include the 1776 reredos, pulpit (later reduced by A. W. Blomfield) and communion table; gallery benches survive.