A building of architectural merit in Paisley has been saved from oblivion by a cash injection from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Holy Trinity and St Barnabas’ Church – built in 1833 – has received a whopping £87,992 for the restoration of its chancel and its organ loft roof.
Rev Debbie Davison, rector of Holy Trinity and St Barnabas’ Church, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, our chancel and its magnificent stained glass windows will be preserved and can be admired by worshippers and visitors for many years to come.”
The work will enable the restoration of the tripartite stained glass windows at the eastern end of the church. These windows depict not only St Mirin but also Saints Kentigern, Columba and Ninian.
Holy Trinity and St Barnabas’ is one of the few remaining Episcopal church buildings of the early Victorian era and is now the only Scottish Episcopal church in Paisley.
The chancel, built in 1884 as an addition to the original and rather austere 1833 building, is a fine example of the changes in style of worship brought about by the “Oxford Movement” of the mid 19th century.
This movement sought the restoration of some older Christian traditions in worship, believing that churches had become too “plain”. Both styles can be seen in the building which stands today in the middle of the busy Paisley ring road system.
Rather than replacement of the whole building, as happened elsewhere in Scotland, Holy Trinity was extended in 1884, under the patronage of the Earl of Glasgow, with the addition of the chancel.
This part of the building was designed by David Thomson, a noted Glasgow architect and is separated from the nave by an arch in local sandstone which is supported by towering Corinthian columns.
The chancel itself is ornately decorated with Minton tiles displaying the Arms of the Earl of Glasgow and a marble and alabaster Gothic reredos.
Holy Trinity and St Barnabas’ is notable for its excellent acoustics and the restoration work will allow continued use by local choirs for rehearsals and concerts. Additionally, the refurbishment will protect a fine example of Paisley’s ecclesiastical heritage and will allow the Victorian stained glass windows of the chancel to, once again, be seen in all their glory.
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