Holy Trinity Church and Bell Tower

Just appeared on Facebook

Holy Trinity with Coventry Cross.

I would have given that one two thumbs up, Prof, if possible. My parents were married there in 1936 (turbulent years). Hope you are coping ok over there.

Dream, mine were married there in a more turbulent year - 1940

MR, like me you would have slept under the stairs then..

No, I came along a lot later

This is a cut out view from a postcard looking west along the church path towards the Spicerstoke. I've written before that the line of the path was originally further north (closer to the church). Link to explanation of original lane. Below is an image looking the other way, when the archway under the south transept still existed, although the path was by then diverted along a boundary wall. This route was not possible before the Jesus Hall, linked directly to the south transept, was demolished. I think that it was originally set up so that New Street, the path, the church archway and the Spicerstoke were all aligned. The only thing that stopped a straight route into Cross Cheaping was the last building in Butcher Row and there is a strong possibility that the constriction was a later development. Even Corpus Christi at the far end of New Street was on roughly the same alignment, although it was almost built over by the earliest modern maps. Only the Speed map shows it as a clearly defined road. Interesting co-incidence or planned feature? Note the clock!

Tony McSweeney on FB has allowed me to share these interesting images from the Telegraph from when the Bell Tower came down. As I think we determined earlier in this thread, I think this was 1967 though Tony is going to try to confirm from the newspaper date. He watched it all happen apparently and tried to save that beam but it was stuck solid so probably ended up on the fire

Your date is correct, Neil. June 1967.

The carved beam was supposedly preserved in the north porch.

You know now we've got to go and find it, Helen!

I hoped you'd say that Neil It was set on some wrought iron curly supports, underneath a big framed list of dates, names and numbers (donations?). It doesn't look very high up.

Rob, add this to the list for our city wall walk!

Does anyone know of this beautiful, undated and uncopyrighted publication? It talks of the public unveiling in 2004, so it is obviously less than 18 years old. I found it today, in perfect condition, in a Rotary book sorting exercise in - of all places - Laurieton, near Port Macquarie, NSW! Its 22 pages contain the history of the "Doom" painting, with illustrations and detailed descriptions of all the elements in the painting. It looks like it would have been sold in the Holy Trinity shop, so not exactly unique, but if it is of interest to the historians amongst you, I would be happy to post it

That's a very kind offer Johnnie. They were still selling it the last time I visited the church, though they have no online shop. It does have a rather great web site including a 360 degree tour