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The
Church
The church of Holy Trinity, Clapham, is located
to the south of Clapham Common North Side. 1774-6 by Kenton
Couse. West porch built in 1812 by Francis Hurlbatt. Apse
replaced by chancel, with Lady Chapel to south and vestry and
offices to north, 1902-3, by Beresford Pite. Restoration
following damage suffered during Second World War. Further
internal adaptations by Purcell, Miller, Tritton in 1991-4: the
west end screened beneath the gallery, a central platform
created, and the Lady Chapel converted into the William
Wilberforce Centre.
Stock brick classical church with stone quoins,
window surrounds and cornice. Hurlbatt's single-storey Doric
porch across west end. Two storeys. Arched windows. West front
of five bays, the central three bays contained within a
pedimented projection at first-floor level.
Galleries on three sides on fluted wooden Doric
columns, reached by staircases to north and south. Coved ceiling
with simple decorative plasterwork (restored 1981). Across the
west end, a glazed screen of 1992. Panelled dado. At east end
the 1776 reredos stands behind the high altar of the 1902-3
chancel. In north part of chancel, early-C20 organ by Alfred
Hunter, a local organ-builder and one of the churchwardens of
Holy Trinity. Stained glass of 1952 in east windows commemorates
members of the Clapham Sect and their work. Monuments include
wall tablet to Bishop John Jebb, d.1833, with medallion bust, by
E. H. Baily; wall tablet to John Venn, d.1813; and at the east
ends of the north and south galleries, a striking pair of wall
tablets, each in the form of a column, one to John Castell, d.
1804, the other to John Thornton, d. 1790 (the monument erected
1816), by J. Bacon Jun. Original box pews replaced in 1875.
Original benches remain, steeply banked, in galleries. Simple
carved pulpit of 1776; originally three-decker, reduced by A. W.
Blomfield. Communion table of 1776.
REASONS FOR DESIGNATION -
Grade 2* listing:
The list entry for the church of Holy Trinity, Clapham, which is
already designated at Grade II*, has been amended for the
following principal reasons:
* Plain classical church of 1774-6, exemplifying the
characteristics of the 'preaching box', with original galleries
* Original building by little-known architect Kenton Couse
modified effectively in the C19 and early C20
* Strong connection with the Clapham Sect, a group active in
campaigning for the abolition of the slave trade, adds to
historical interest of building. This amendment is written in
2007, the bicentenary year of the 1807 Abolition Act.
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