Holy Trinity & St. Mary is located in a small village 4 miles north west of Bromsgrove in Worcestershire. The Church was built in 1907-8 with money donated by the curate of St John’s Church Bromsgrove, Walter Whinfield. The architect was Arthur Bartlett, who constructed it in the Arts and Crafts style, with decoration work created by the Bromsgrove Guild. Bartlett was recommended by Walter Gilbert. Much of the woodcarving, including the pulpit, altar rails and organ case is credited to Celestino Pancheri. Its listing document states: “The church is one of the best of its date in the county. Its plan form and tower are of an unusual and most effective design and the understated but thorough attention to the decorative detail of the interior is particularly interesting”. Simon Jenkins relates that the ceiling ribs represent “the fruits of Dodford” and the front bench-end features “John Bungay, the first child born in the Chartist village in 1849”.
It appears in the book "1,000 Best English Churches" by Simon Jenkins. The nave seats 100 people but for special occasions additional seating is available for 50 is available.
The church serves the parish of Dodford with Grafton which is predominantly rural in nature. The village of Dodford was the 5th Chartist settlement opened up to development in the 1850's and still retains its original road layout and examples of the Chartist domestic dwellings.
The church is, spiritually and culturally, at the heart of the a small scattered community. Although size limits the range of church based activities, varied events are organised including a fete, harvest festival, fundraising evenings and the like. There are at least five services each month including an innovative monthly family service which is well attended by all ages. A young people’s workshop meets three times a year and enjoys strong links with the village primary school.
The church is particularly popular for weddings because of its charming rural setting and beautiful interior.
**************************************
For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
*************************************