The church dates from the 12th century and is the only medieval church in Coventry that is still complete.[1][2] It is 59 metres (194ft) long and has a spire 72 metres (236ft) high, one of the tallest non-cathedral spires in the UK.
The church was restored in 1665–1668, and the tower was recased in 1826 by Thomas Rickman. The east end was rebuilt in 1786 and the west front by Richard Charles Hussey in 1843.
The doom wall-painting was painted above the tower arch in 1430s. It was discovered in 1831, covered by a lime wash, and was then restored and varnished over by David Gee.[1] In the years following, the varnish darkened and hid the painting from view again. In 1995 conservation and restoration work was begun and the painting was revealed in 2004.[3]
1526: This is the earliest recorded organ, built by John Howe and John Clynmowe of London for £30. In the late 16th century it was dismantled as the Puritan clergy at Holy Trinity disapproved of organs
1631: Samuel Buggs (Vicar), "procured" a replacement instrument
1640s: Puritans back in charge, organ sold for £30
1732: German Thomas Swarbrick, who also supplied a new organ for Coventry Cathedral (Old Cathedral), built one for Holy Trinity for £600. It was placed upon a gallery erected for it across the Nave and had two manuals
1829: Swell and pedal added
1855–1861: As part of the George Gilbert Scott restoration of the church, a new organ chamber was built in the westernmost bay of the south chancel aisle. This instrument of three manuals plus pedals, was built by Forster and Andrews for £800
1900: Rebuilt by W. Hill & Sons with some of the old work incorporated; four manuals
1923: Electric blowing chest added
1933: J. Charles Lee of Coventry added pneumatic pistons
1961: Rebuilt for £12,200 by the firm of Henry Willis, the organ contained 59 speaking stops, each with 61 pipes, along with 30 couplers and 3 tremolos
2007: Organ was dismantled, due to it being beyond repair. A funding appeal has been launched for a new organ, which was to cost approximately £600,000.
↑Thornsby, Frederick W., ed. (1912) Dictionary of Organs and Organists. Bournemouth: Logan
↑Coventry Evening Telegraph – Saturday 13 July 1918
↑Exeter and Plymouth Gazette – Saturday 31 October 1931
↑Names and dates taken from the carved wooden plaque in the Archdeacon's Court. The plaque was dedicated to the memory of Francis M. Beaumont and installed sometime in the early 20th century. Early dates may be approximate.
