History
The Old
Holy Trinity was built at the expense of Francis Peek (b1834-d1899), a very successful tea merchant who lived in Sydenham. Francis (see photo) was a committed Christian, active in charitable work, caring for the poor and marginalised, and wrote several books on the topic. He endowed many churches in South London in response to the Bishop of Rochester’s Ten Churches appeal and dedicated Holy Trinity in memory of his parents William and Mary Peek.
Holy Trinity was consecrated on 22nd June 1878 by the Bishop of Dover, Dr Edward Parry. The tower and steeple were added in 1883. The architects were Daukes and Clarke of Sergeants Inn, London EC4 and the builder was William Tongue of Plumstead.
The low stone wall surrounding the churchyard was built in 1894 in memory of the Rev. Samuel Whitfield Daukes (see photo), the first Vicar of Holy Trinity and son-in-law of Francis Peek, who is also commemorated by a tablet on the southwest buttress of the tower.
A stone war memorial cross, c.1920, stands in the south-eastern part of the churchyard, commemorating those from the local area who died in the arms forces in the1914-18 war (see photo). A full list of the names can been seen below.
The church was severely damaged by two near misses during the 1939-45 war and restored over a number of years. It was re-dedicated on 1st March 1949 by the Bishop of Rochester, Dr Christopher Chavasse.
In 1980/81 this large Victorian church, built to seat over 900 people (but in the 1970’s more usually around fifty), was completely re-ordered. The site opposite on which stood two neglected halls (formerly a School and Church House) was sold. This money, along with other monies raised from fund raising activities, was used to provide a smaller worship area, meeting rooms, a Day Centre for the Elderly, kitchens and toilet facilities and a large hall for a Playgroup, receptions etc. which could also be used as an extension to the worship area when required. The church was rededicated by the Bishop of Rochester, Dr David Say, on 1st October 1981.
The New
The building was gutted by an arson attack during the early hours of 11th September 1993 (see photo). At the time the church was in an interregnum. The following spring the Rev Tony Rutherford was appointed Vicar and became manager of ‘The Project’ and, together with the Parochial Church Council, began the long task of restoring the building.
The PCC visited many churches, which had been reordered and were inspired by what they saw in one at Bromley-by-Bow, and so their architect, Gordon MacLaren, was invited to redesign the interior of Holy Trinity. He was asked to incorporate most of the facilities we had before and to add an area specifically for children, an office, a more attractive lounge for the elderly and an internal Sacred Garden, open to the skies. We also asked for as much natural light as possible to flow into the building and we feel this has truly been
achieved (see photo).
The planting design of the Sacred Garden was done by Magali Nicole, a landscape architect (see photo).
Debbi Wythe, a student at Ravensbourne College of Art, designed the communion table as part of her degree course and afterwards was commissioned to design the lectern and other sanctuary furniture including the font, stands for flowers and the Easter candle and chairs for the clergy.
Children from Alexandra Junior School designed squares, which are framed and are displayed around the building.
The first service in the new building was on Good Friday 28th March 1997 and a service of Thanksgiving was held on Saturday 19th April 1997.
On the 9th December 1997 the building was rededicated by the Right Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester.
Most areas of the building are multi-functional. The worship area is also used for concerts (the acoustics are very good). The children’s area is used daily by our Pre-School Group and also by our children’s groups on Sundays. The church lounge and the hall are used for a large variety of activities by church and outside organisations. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a relatively small number of people, we now a beautiful church centre that provides a very real heart for the community.
Names on the 1914-18 War Memorial in the Church Yard
Holy Trinity Church Beckenham
|
Sapper J.B.Adcork Private W D.Barton Private C.Beasley L/Corpl. W.Beasley Private A. Beer L/Corpl. C.A.Bewshea Private S.R.Bewshea Sgt. B.W.Blackbum.MM C.S.M.C.S.Blackburn Corpl C.F.Blackbum Private W.Blandford Private J.H. Brown Private P.Burles L/Corpl. S.Chatfield Private M.M.Chilley Private H.C.Chinnery Rifleman W. Coleman Gunner W.Cook |
Private R.C.B Cooper Private R.L.Cooper Private G.Comish Private G.Costidell Private J.Cripps Private J.Cruckshank Private C.T.E.Davis Private H.O.Davis AB J.Davis Private W.H. Davis Private D.Denyer Sgt. B.R.Drawbridge AB L.S.Drawbridge Private C.Durrant Sgt. W.A.Ellinor 2ndLt. A.T.Fenner Driver J.Ford Private N.D-Fuller |
Private W.Fuller Private L.F.Gee Corpl. E.A. Gibbins. M.M. Private H.Glen Private F.Goldsmith Private A.Goodier CSM W.K.Graveney Private C.A.Griggs Private C.F.Haines Private F.A.Haines Private J.C.Harding Surg. M.Harper RN Nurse Nellie Hawley Boatman W. J.Hemnann 2ndLt.G.Mac.Hughes 2ndLt. O.Hughes Private A.Jarvis Bomber W.Jarvis |
|
Sgt. H.J.Jordan Private G.King Private S.G.Knowles Private C.Laker Rifleman T.Lamble Private C.J.Langley Private A.H.Law Corpl. J.T.Law Private A.W.Leach Private C.Lindridge L/Corpl. S.T.Loader M.M. Driver E.Lodge Private J.W.V.Lovett Capt. N.Mackie Corpl.J.H.Mantle Private E.T.March Corpl. A.Maunton Private W.C.Maunton Gunner G.May |
Corpl. S.G.Mayor Private G.W.Moore Private R,Naves Corpl. GW.Neal Corpl. H.P.Newsam Corpl. F.E.Oliver Private J.G.Oliver Private S.Parfett Sgt. G.A.Partridge Capt. E.G.Passingham MC Private J.W.Pharo Bomber S.R.Priddy Private J.Pryor Private G.Rand Sgt/Major J.Rand Private F.Ranger Rifleman R.G.Ranson Private J.Rayner |
Pioneer F.V.Read Private P.H.RiddIes Private W.Ridout Private H.Routen Lt/Col. F.J.Saunders DSO Private W.Scriven Private P.F.Simmonds Private A. J. Smith Private G.H. Smith Private T.G.Steedman Private W. Steer 2ndLt. A.T.Tallentire Private G.Toomey Rifleman G.T.Toomey Rifleman J.O.Tovey Sapper L.E.Tucker Private J. Turner L/Corpl. T.E.Tyson |
|
Lt. C.F.Umney L/Corp.P.Upton Private E.W.Wall Private C.War Sgt. T.S. Watts Private A.F.Weatherill |
Private E.Weatherill Gunner A.E.Webb Private F.G.Webb Bomber N.Westlake Lt S.V.Weston MM Lt. H.L.Wheeler |
Sgt. C.Weeler Private H.Whittaker Private H.Wild Corpl.F.G.Willis L/CorpI. W.Wood Sgt. W.Woolward |