Holy Trinity Church, Blackburn

Holy Trinity Church stands on Mount Pleasant in Blackburn, Lancashire. It is a former Anglican parish church now looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust. The building is listed at Grade II on the National Heritage List for England. The church was designed by Edmund Sharpe, a Lancaster architect, and built between 1837 and 1846. Its construction cost £5,019, partly funded by a £1,519 grant from the Church Building Society. The foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of Chester, John Bird Sumner, in October 1837. The church is notable for its Gothic Revival style and large seating capacity of 1,626 people when first opened. Between 1860 and 1946, internal changes were made under E. G. Paley, including the addition of 200 more seats and repositioning of the organ. From 1942 to 1949, the vicar was Chad Varah, who later founded The Samaritans. The church’s unusual window arrangement, featuring 2-3-2 lights, reflects a German influence. The tower, completed in 1853, has three stages with lancet windows and twin-light bell openings. Inside, the church features slim compound piers, a flat ceiling divided into 80 painted panels, and a west gallery. The panels display coats of arms, including those of Queen Victoria, Edward the Confessor, and local churchmen. The organ, originally from London’s Hanover Square Rooms, was rebuilt several times before being installed in the west gallery. The crossing holds the royal coat of arms, and the interior reflects Sharpe’s grand vision for the church.