Holy Trinity was built between 1867-73 to cater for the expanding urban population of Sittingbourne in the mid-19th century. The reason the church took so long to complete is unclear. The loss of the town's brickmaking industry during this period actually caused the population to drop for a couple of years only for it to suddenly rise again with the arrival of the railway. In this period of growth amidst industrial uncertainty the church was built to serve the spiritual needs of a rather impoverished population.
It is built in 13th century Gothic Revival style and has been designated a Grade II listed building. Architect R.C. (Richard Charles) Hussey began the work and the church was opened for services, still incomplete, in 1867. The chancel, north transept and southern tower were later added in 1873, designed by Diocesan Architect, Joseph Clarke.
The break between the two phases of building work is obvious when looking at the shape of first piers dividing the nave from the chancel. The two responds are of unequal height and mounted back to back. The completed church consists of the nave, with north and south aisles under their own individual gables; a chancel, north transept and southern tower, with identical north and south porches. The north porch leads to a choir vestry. The south tower consists of a vestry on the ground floor, an organ loft on the first floor and a belfry on the second. It might have been intended to add a spire, but this never materialised.
The north transept is now used as a small chapel. Although Holy Trinity has been much modernised with the removal of the wooden benches; a good number of original Victorian features remain in place. The stone reredos is particularly beautiful, with paintings in the panels depicting Jesus and two disciples in the centre panel behind the altar, Old Testament prophets in the left panel and the Four Evangelists in the right panel.
The pulpit and font also date from the mid-19th century. The main east window dates from 1896 and is designed by Ward & Hughes, whose workmanship is also in the north chapel east window dating from 1901 and has been signed by T.F. Curtis.In 1906 a Parish Hall was built just across the road, now standing alone as an Edwardian building amongst 21st century urbanisation. Today Holy Trinity is a well attended and active church maintaining a charismatic Evangelical style of worship within the Church of England.
Text by Rob Baker
