Holy Trinity - History

compiled from the leaflet produced by Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Holy Trinity Church was originally built to serve the small village of Bracknell Street. Thanks mainly to the improvements in communications, brought about by the railways, this part of Berkshire was becoming a popular place to live and the entire area was undergoing rapid development. A new ecclesiastical parish of Bracknell was created, independent from Easthampstead, and plans were made to open the new Church in 1852. In the previous year, land was purchased from Lord Braybrook, Lord of the Manor of Warfield, following an appeal to the public for funds. This purchase is commemorated by the plaque on the south wall.

The Church was built in the Early English style of the Middle Ages. The design is unusual, with the tower built on the north-east corner instead of in the traditional position at the west end. At the time of building, Bracknell was the centre of a large brick industry which supplied those which form the main structure. On the exterior surface it is faced with knapped flints and sandstone which, with the slates for the roof, would have been transported by rail to the nearest point (Bracknell itself did not have its own train station until 1856).

This, the main parish church, now has about 235 on the electoral roll. In 2001 it celebrated the 150th anniversary of its dedication. It covers the districts of north and central Bracknell, Bullbrook, Forest Park and the Warren. Worship is central church style, vestments are worn and the services at the moment are ASB Rite A; the new Book of Common Worship liturgy will be used from Advent 2000. This is true also of the other churches in the Team Ministry.