Guildhall, Chester

The Guildhall, formerly Holy Trinity Church, is a redundant church in Watergate in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building. In the early 1960s it was converted into the Guildhall.^[1]

History

The original building, which had a north aisle, probably dated from the 14th century. The east end and south side were rebuilt in 1680. This church had a spire which was rebuilt in the 1770s but in 1811 was taken down for reasons of safety.^[2] The present church was built between 1865 and 1869 to a design by James Harrison. He died before it was finished and the church was completed by the firm of Kelly and Edwards of Chester.^[1]

Architecture

Exterior

It is built in red sandstone with grey slate roofs. Its plan consists of a continuous nave and chancel with a clerestory, a west porch, a detached south spire and porch, and a vestry to the south. The tower has three stages with double doors to the east and above this a relief sculpture of Christ enthroned. The second stage has a lancet window and clock faces to the east and south. The third stage has two-light bell-openings, corner buttresses, a pierced parapet and a recessed octagonal stone spire with three lucarnes to each face.^[1]

Interior

Most of the fittings have been removed. The east window, dated 1885, is by Kempe,^[3] and depicts God and major Old Testament figures and saints.^[1] Now hidden by flooring is a memorial to John Whitmore who died in 1374.^[3] The former chancel screen and the reredos are also hidden.^[1]

See also

• List of works by James Harrison

References