Far from the village, a charming church peeps out. This is Trinity Church, Loughton. Its spire is a landmark for miles around.
Welcome to a story of faith. It is a story of community and architectural elegance. Trinity Church, Loughton stands as a testament to enduring values.
In 1873, Thomas Charles Baring played a pivotal role. He was a director of Messrs Baring Brothers Bank. He moved into Wallsgrove House. Baring became a Justice of the Peace. He was also Deputy Lieutenant and Member of Parliament for South Essex. He took a keen interest in parish affairs.
At a Vestry meeting in 1870, Baring became Parish Warden. Mr. Norton had been seeking aid to build a new church. Then Mr. Baring offered to build it at his own expense. He wanted to build it on his own plan. The Vicar accepted this generous offer.
A London Architect was commissioned. It was A W Blomfield. He was the son of a Bishop. The Bishop had consecrated St Pauls in 1836. Blomfield later became Sir Arthur. He was a fashionable architect. John Betjeman said he could turn out an impressive church in almost any style.
Blomfield favored the Early English Gothic style. It featured a soaring broach spire. These spires were common in 13th-century stone churches. These churches were in the East Midlands. Mr Baring accepted his design for Trinity Church, Loughton.
Trinity Church, Loughton was completed in 1873. It cost about 5,500 pounds. A guidebook described it as an elegant little church. It noted its spire was a landmark for miles.
The opening of Trinity Church, Loughton was without ceremony. It was licensed for Sunday services and baptisms. Marriages were still at St Pauls. This was the parish church. Legal complications prevented consecration.
Charles William Hamilton Sotheby gave the site. He was Lord of the Manor. He released the land from the Forest in 1869. It was about an acre in size. This allowed for a churchyard.
Matthew Arnold inspected the school from 1873. He was the son of Dr Arnold of Rugby School. He praised the masters efforts. He also praised the improvement in the childrens work. But he condemned the school building. He said it was damp, out-of-date and overcrowded.
In 1879, Her Majestys Inspector threatened to stop the grant. It would happen if the school was not rebuilt. Mr. Baring built a fine new school in Mott Street at his own cost.
Several years before Trinity Church, Loughton was built there were enquiries. These enquiries were about enclosures of common land in the Forest. The Epping Forest Act made a special exception for Trinity Church, Loughton. It allowed both enclosure and building to remain.
The long awaited Consecration Day was Saturday the 18th August 1883. The Bishop of St Albans officiated. The service continued with Evening Prayer. Mr Titt presided at the organ.
Two days after the Consecration, the Vicar sought to make Trinity Church, Loughton a parish church.
In March 1885, the Vicar spoke about the condition of the old church. The Bishop advised him to get the building removed quickly. A faculty to remove the old church was granted on the 2nd May.
In January 1891, the Vicar wrote about obtaining a new vicarage. The Archdeacon replied that the Vicarage was quite unfit.
By the end of 1892, the Vicar set out to raise 1,000 pounds. The building contract was given to John Bentley of Waltham Abbey. The builders finished in March 1894.
Today Trinity Church, Loughton stands not only as a place of worship. It is also a symbol of community. Its history is etched in its stones. It echoes through the surrounding forest. It invites reflection. Trinity Church, Loughton is an invitation to discover the layers of history. It is an invitation to appreciate the enduring spirit of this special place.