Founding and Early History

1696 - Mid 19th century

Holy Trinity Church was consecrated in 1696 by Peter Mews, the Bishop of Winchester, who had donated the land for it to be built on.

It was originally built as a 'chapel of ease' for St Mary's, Alverstoke, required as Gosport's population was rapidly expanding and St Mary's was becoming overburdened.

Holy Trinity in 1769, by RHC Ubsdell

The bishop dispatched 14 oak trees from his estate at Farnham Castle to use as pillars inside the new church - these can still be seen, hidden beneath the plaster-covering if you know where to look!

The new church’s interior was designed in classical style with its ionic colonnades, white walls and a barrel vault ceiling.

Holy Trinity did not become a parish in its own right until 1860 and is frequently referred to simply as ‘Trinity Chapel’ in eighteenth century texts.

Notwithstanding its technical status as a chapel to another church, in 1730, with Gosport’s population still growing, a gallery was built on the north side of the building and a portico added to the west end at the same time.

In 1745, a further 60 pews had to be added and at the same time Holy Trinity came into possession of an object that would ever be associated with it: the Handel Organ. In 1828–30 a new west front, replacing the 1730 portico, was built by Thomas Ellis Owen.