Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon
The current building dates from 1210 and stands on the site of a Saxon monastery. It is Stratford-upon-Avon's oldest building, situated on the banks of the River Avon. In the fourteenth century, John de Stratford founded a chantry there. Dean Thomas Balshall rebuilt this structure between 1465 and 1497. He lies buried within the church he helped restore. The original wooden spire was replaced by William Hiorne in 1763. This architectural change marked a significant shift in the skyline of Warwickshire.
William Shakespeare was baptised in Holy Trinity on the 26th of April 1564. He returned to live at New Place during his later years. His wife Anne Hathaway is buried next to him along with their eldest daughter Susanna. Shakespeare signed his Last Will and Testament on the 25th of March 1616 in a shaky hand. A month later, his funeral and burial took place at Holy Trinity on the 25th of April 1616. The church still possesses the original Elizabethan register giving details of these events. Thomas Quiney, Shakespeare's son-in-law, performed public penance within the church court for fathering an illegitimate son.
A 14th-century sanctuary knocker hangs in the church's porch built around 1500. Twenty-six 15th-century misericord seats feature religious, secular and mythical carvings in the chancel. Several large stained glass windows depict major English and Biblical saints at the east and west ends. The American window in St Peter's Chapel was unveiled in 1896. It bears the inscription The Gift of America to Shakespeare's Church. Carved scenes of the life of Christ around Balshall's tomb were mutilated during the Reformation. A remarkable face of Christ or possibly God the Father survives within a sedilia canopy.
The church houses a large three manual pipe organ dating from 1841 by William Hill. It has undergone several restorations by Hill, Norman and Beard, and Nicholson. Two separate sections now exist with divisions high on the wall above the arch into the tower crossing. The Great and Swell 1 and Pedal 1 divisions face west while Choir and Swell 2 divisions sit at ground level. George Frederick Bodley designed the organ case alongside Thomas Garner. Henry Mathews served as organist from c. 1858 until 1937. John Strickson held the post from 1954 to 1979. Douglas Keilitz led the music program from 2020 to 2024.
Planning permission for an extension next to the south aisle was granted in January 2015. Construction began that year and the new space opened on the 17th of April 2016. Stephen Oliver Architecture designed the project using local limestone. A stained-glass window hidden by the organ was incorporated into this addition. Holy Trinity serves a parish of some 17,000 people today. More than 200,000 tourists visit the church each year. The Royal Shakespeare Company performed Henry VIII in the church in 2006 as part of the Complete Works Festival. A sandstone obelisk erected in 1858 stands nearby in memory of William Cheshire.
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Common questions
When was the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon built?
The current building dates from 1210 and stands on the site of a Saxon monastery. It is Stratford-upon-Avon's oldest building, situated on the banks of the River Avon.
Where is William Shakespeare buried at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon?
William Shakespeare lies buried within Holy Trinity church along with his wife Anne Hathaway and their eldest daughter Susanna. His funeral and burial took place at Holy Trinity on the 25th of April 1616.
Who designed the pipe organ inside the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon?
A large three manual pipe organ dating from 1841 by William Hill resides within the church. George Frederick Bodley designed the organ case alongside Thomas Garner.
What year did the extension to the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon open?
Construction began that year and the new space opened on the 17th of April 2016. Planning permission for an extension next to the south aisle was granted in January 2015.
When was William Shakespeare baptised at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon?
William Shakespeare was baptised in Holy Trinity on the 26th of April 1564. The church still possesses the original Elizabethan register giving details of these events.