Church Overview

This handsome sandstone Tudor-Gothic church, in its prominent position at the head of St James Street, was built between 1828-33 by architect the James Drummond for a local Episcopal congregation that had established itself in Paisley in 1817. The chancel and sacristy were added in 1883-84, by architect David Thomson, the small hall/choir room was built 1929-30 and a number of halls and offices were added to the south elevation in 2012.

When the Trinity Chapel, as it was originally called, opened on the 19th May 1833, it was one of the first Episcopal churches to be built in Scotland following the repeal, in 1792, of a series of historic penal laws which had been enacted to restrict and repress the denomination and its followers. That its earliest form survives today is relatively rare, as many early 19th century Episcopal churches were swept away and replaced in the latter half of the century, as liturgical practices in the denomination began to be influenced by the Oxford Movement. These wider changes to theological practice are reflected in the alterations made to the building in the early 1880s.

The congregation of Trinity Church merged in 2003-04 with that of St Barnabas’ Church in Castle Street. St Barnabas closed, and was subsequently demolished, but a number of its fine stained glass windows (including one by Stephen Adam) were removed, restored and relocated to the renamed Holy Trinity & St Barnabas Church. A very striking west window, designed by Colin Stevenson, was also installed in 2004.

The High Altar and certain other furnishings, including a brass eagle lectern, from St Barnabas were also installed in 2004, beautifully complementing Trinity’s Minton tiles, marble reredos and the low oak chancel screen that was erected as a war memorial in 1921. The Conacher & Co pipe organ was installed in 1887, with later modifications by Henry Willis & Sons in 1967.

Services

Sunday 10am Wednesday 10.30am

Opening Arrangements

Sunday & Wednesday mornings

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.