The Parish of Holy Trinity with St Columba, Fareham

A Tour Of Holy Trinity Interior

Based on an original pamphlet written in 1975 by the late Richard Wade with subsequent updating

The Interior

We cannot help being impressed by the pleasing design of the church interior. The architect was Thomas Ellis Owen (1804-1862), who was very well known in his day as one of the early developers of Southsea. Thomas Ellis Owen decided to use an iron framework in the interior, so that the very slender and elegant pillars in the nave are of cast iron. This is a follow on to his earlier and similar design of All Saints Church, Landport, Portsmouth built in 1828. This was one of the first such uses of iron and enabled Owen to create a lighter interior.

The gallery at the West End was put in when the church was built. Originally there were galleries down each side as well as the west end. (see the early engraving aside)

The was a normal design for the times as the church was primarily a preaching house. (To see what Holy Trinity may have looked like in the 1830's one should try to visit the redundant Church of St John's in Chichester where the original interior with its three decker preaching desk is still in place.)

The side galleries were removed during the restoration of 1908-1913. However the windows and pews except for the west window were not part of the original design, the pleasantness of which has been brought out by the redecoration of the church done in 1960 to a design by Stephen Dykes Bower. The painting of the pews, in black, while acceptable 40 years ago, is now felt to be one of the less desirable changes.

The Chancel

Following the introduction of a nave altar the original Chancel is now used as a prayer chapel. (see the separate note on the Chapel)

 

The East window is in memory of Helena Tyler the sister-in-law of the Rev, C. F. Arnold, vicar from 1902-1923, and her nephews S.E. Gladwin Arnold and Albin C. Arnold, who were both killed in the first World War. It depicts St Helena the mother of the Emperor Constantine who made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. According to tradition she found the true Cross in a grotto under what is now the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

On the South side of the chancel are sedilia or seats for the clergy and servers put up in memory of Patience Croat who was organist for 19 years and for 25 years a Sunday School teacher.


The Rector's stall was designed and presented by Charles Reader whose family were keen church workers and very interested in the Mission church in Mill Road, originally there was opposite a stall in memory of Emma Alexander, the wife of Major General Alexander of the Royal Marine Artillery. The Bishop's chair is in memory of Norman Atkins who was for 25 years honorary architect of the church.

The sanctuary lamp is in memory of John Henry Jackson the organist from 1941 to 1961. He had been organist of St Matthew's, Portsmouth, but he lost both church and house in the blitz.

The screen is in memory of Mary Harvey the widow of Thomas Harvey of Blackbrook Grove. They gave their house to the Diocese and it became Bishopswood, the Bishop's former house. One of the previous occupants, Captain Purvis, married Mary Jane Austen, the niece of Jane Austen, the novelist. The Bishop has since moved to a new residence in Osborn Road.

The Nave

The brass lectern is in memory of the Rev. F. Smith who was Vicar of the church from 1855-1893. A pulpit was also erected in his memory and that of his family by one of his daughters. The pulpit and brass lectern were taken out of general use in 1985 at the last reordering.

The South Aisle

The stained glass window is in memory of Isa Florence Quarry who lived in "Redlands" a house in Redlands Lane that came down in 1930. The upper panel shows St Martin of Tours giving half his cloak to a beggar. The lower panel shows St Veronica. According to tradition she stepped from the crowd and wiped the face of Jesus on his way to crucifixion and the picture of his face appeared on the handkerchief she used.

The most important memorial in the aisle is that to Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Thompson Bart (it was probably moved from St Peter and St Paul). He was the father of Sir Henry Thompson who built the church. Sir Charles joined the Navy in 1755 and took part in many battles against the French in particular being second-in-command at the battle of St Vincent. He was recalled from the fleet because he objected at the execution of four mutineers on a Sunday. Note at the side the standing figures in uniform one with a rope and one with a sextant. John Flagman R.A designed the memorial (1755-1826). He worked for Josiah Wedgwood and became the first Professor of Sculpture for the Royal Academy. Flagman was responsible for the Nelson memorial in St Paul s Cathedral.

Also in the south aisle is a memorial to Charles Osborn who lived at Down End Farm and who developed Osborn Road after whom it is named.

Seymour R. Delme, an extract from whose will is on the wall, was a member of the family who were the most important landowners in the area. He lived in Cams Hall (now offices). The Delme family worshipped and were buried at Titchfield.


There is also a memorial to Sir Henry Thompson's first wife and the members of her family. Her father held an important post as Commissioner of the Dockyard in Portsmouth. When George lll visited Portsmouth he stayed at the Commissioner's house.

West End

Above the gallery is the finest window in the church. It depicts Faith, Hope and Charity and is a copy of a window by Sir Joshua Reynolds in New College, Oxford, which was made by Thomas Jeavons of Windsor c. 1770-1790. It was restored by J.A. Edwards in 1835 and given to the church by Sir Henry Thompson. The top of the centre light contains the Royal arms of William IV, the side lights the episcopal arms of Bishop Charles Sumner of Winchester and those of the Thompson Family.

There is a fine memorial on the west wall to Sophia Dickson and her infant by Edward Bailey R.A. of Bristol, who was a popular sculptor and did a considerable amount of work at Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch and the National Gallery.

Sophia Dickson was the daughter of Vice-Admiral Bigland, who for a time lived in Heathfield House. Charlotte Young, the Victorian novelist, was a visitor to the house and some of the people there appear in her writings.

There is also a memorial to 2nd Lt. John Barrow and the nurse who looked after him. They both died from typhoid fever.

 

 

The North Aisle

There is a memorial to John Wild, a Customs Official or Kings Meter. This reflects the importance of Fareham as a port at the beginning of the 19th Century.

The window to Patience Crout who was organist for 19 years contains representations of St Elizabeth, St Barbara, St Cecilia and St Ursula.

 

 

 

The large memorial to the East of the aisle is to Lady Thompson the mother of Sir Henry. She was a great benefactor to Fareham and built the National School in what is now Gordon Road. She lived in a house in the High Street, which is now the County Club.

 

 

Sir Henry's memorial gives details of his career.

Finally

The church is full of memorials, mostly to famous people, "And some there be which have no memoria"..., so perhaps we should end by giving thanks to God for the thousands of ordinary people who have worshipped in Holy Trinity down the generations.

We must never lose sight of the fact that the church is not buildings but people, famous and unknown, and that God's house is not his home unless there is a family living in it.

Currently there is a lively family of all age groups that fills this church Sunday by Sunday and uses it fully during the week. If you live locally we shall be pleased to welcome you as part of that family.

May God bless you, and give you His love, joy and peace.

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