Holy Trinity Church, Dunoon

Church in Scotland

Holy Trinity Church
The church in 2005

55°56′46″N 4°56′23″W / 55.946156°N 4.939598°W / 55.946156; -4.939598
Location	Dunoon, Argyll and Bute
Country	Scotland, United Kingdom
Denomination	Episcopalian
Website	Official website
History
Status	open
Consecrated	11 September 1850; 174 years ago (1850-09-11)
Architecture
Functional status	used
Heritage designation	Category B listed building
Designated	20 July 1971
Architect(s)	John Henderson
Architectural type	Gothic revival
Groundbreaking	1849
Completed	1850

Holy Trinity Church is an Episcopalian church building in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is located on Kilbride Road, southwest of the town centre. Constructed in the Gothic revival style, it is a Category B listed building.

The church was built in 1850 by John Henderson. It was extended to the west in 1896 by Alexander Ross. Its bell was cast by John Warner & Sons.

History

Starting in 1846, Revd. Henry George Pirie held services in a hall in the town centre, for local Scottish Episcopalians. Funds were then raised towards their own church building. Records of donations included £5 from William Gladstone who was later a British Prime Minister.

Once a site had been granted near the ancient Celtic St Bride well, a church design was commissioned. Edinburgh architect John Henderson was involved. The first stone was laid on 31 March 1849. The following September the Right Revd. Alexander Ewing, the new Bishop of Argyll, visited the church and opened it for worship. A pipe organ was purchased in 1882.

By the 1890s there was insufficient space for the summer congregations. Architect Alexander Ross, of Inverness, was involved in 1894. The nave was increased in size to the west. In the years that followed, further additions included a large western porch (narthex) and a tower and bells. The sanctuary was remodelled some time around 1950.

Electric lighting was fitted for Christmas 1944, with contributions from the naval personnel stationed nearby in Innellan. An electric organ replaced the pipe organ in the late 20th century.

In 2013, a significant conservation project was embarked upon, largely funded by Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery.

Rectors

Holy Trinity Church has had twenty rectors in its history. Its two most recent rectors went on to become bishops: Andrew Swift in the Diocese of Brechin followed by David Railton in the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles.