Parish Church of Holy Trinity

Parish Church of Holy Trinity is the Anglican parish church of Ilfracombe, a seaside town on the North Devon coast, in the Diocese of Exeter. It is one of the oldest buildings in town, and it has been a Grade I listed building since 1951.

What is the history of Holy Trinity in Ilfracombe?

Christian worship has taken place on this spot for well over a thousand years. The present building grew out of a Norman church, which replaced an earlier Saxon one. Its oldest parts are medieval, and the tower is among the earliest surviving elements. Sources differ on its age: some place it in the 13th century, while others link its lower stages to a still earlier structure.

Around 1321–1322 the church was greatly enlarged on the orders of Bishop Stapledon of Exeter. The nave was lengthened and aisles were added, giving the church roughly the size it has today. A north chancel followed in the early 15th century.

What is there to see inside?

• The Norman font. It dates from about 1160 and survives from the earlier Norman church. It is still used for christenings, which makes it a living link between the medieval parish and today's.
• The wagon roof. The 15th-century timber roof is one of the church's best-known features. It is richly carved, with bosses, angels and human figures. Look for the row of five Green Men, the foliage-faced figures found in many English medieval churches.
• Victorian work. The architect John Hayward restored the church between 1861 and 1864. The chancel ceiling was modernised in 1899 by George Fellowes Prynne, a well-known church architect of the period.

Why visit?

For a visitor to North Devon, Holy Trinity is a good place to see how an English parish church developed over centuries. Saxon and Norman origins, 14th-century enlargement, 15th-century carving and Victorian restoration are all layered in one building. It suits a short stop between the harbour and the seafront, and anyone interested in medieval architecture or church heritage will find plenty to look at.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Holy Trinity Church? In Ilfracombe, on the North Devon coast, England. The coordinates are about 51.206 N, 4.128 W.

Is it a listed building? Yes. It has had Grade I status, the highest level of protection in England, since 1951.

What is the oldest item inside? The Norman font, from about 1160, is one of the oldest objects. The tower is among the oldest parts of the structure.

Is the church still in use? Yes. It is the active Anglican parish church of Ilfracombe, and the font is still used for baptisms.

What is special about the roof? The 15th-century wagon roof is carved with bosses, angels and figures, including five Green Men in a row.