The Revd Julie Sear, 01892 770436 In an emergency 07927 939116
Coleman’s Hatch, Shepherds Hill, Hartfield TN7 4HN
For the Benefice of Coleman’s Hatch and Hartfield admsmht@gmail.com
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A Grade 2 listed architectural gem, built in local sandstone, Holy Trinity serves the small hamlet and parish of Coleman’s Hatch (population circa 700). The parish is a rural idyll comprising a scattering of farms, houses and cottages on the northern fringes of the Ashdown Forest, an area of outstanding natural beauty.‘Hatch’ is a name for a gate or entrance to the forest.The present Church and Parish were created following a major disagreement between the Church’s principal benefactor John Mc Andrew, a wealthy landowner, and the Rector of Hartfield. The church was consecrated on 13th November 1913. The benefices of Hartfield and Coleman’s Hatch were reunited in 1979.
Interior Features• The tower & spire houses a bell chamber with a peal of eight bells and quarter chimes by Gillett & Johnston.• A War Memorial at the west end of the north aisle opposite the entrance commemorates those of the Parish from both world wars.• The two pictures on the south wall of the Church are copies from the National Gallery. By the south east door is ‘The dead Christ with the Virgin Mary and Angels’ by Francia and by the south west door is ‘The Holy Family by Murillo.• An alabaster tablet in memory of John Mc Andrew is on the south wall.• The stained glass windows were added at different dates, all in the first half of the twentieth century.
• In the Chancel, the reredos behind the altar is in 13th century Early English style.• The east windows depict ‘St. Paul and St. Stephen’ and ‘Isaiah and Jacob’.• The organ, built by Messrs. J.W. Walker & Sons 1913, is listed in the Register of Historic Pipe Organs a being an instrument of importance to the national heritage.
External Features• Trinity Hall accommodates up to 100 people and is available for weddings and other functions.• Major General Clifford Coffin VC was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard in 1959 and his grave was refurbished in 2013 and is now cared for by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Holy Trinity Church stands on high ground and is clearly visible from all approaches. It has been fittingly described as “a cathedral in the country”. Its size and capacity (with pews seating 330) are out of proportion in relation to the hamlet that it serves. It is an architectural gem, built in local sandstone to a very high standard and with an unusually spacious interior.
The Church is located in the small hamlet of Colemans Hatch, on a sharp bend on the north side of the B2110, almost equidistant between the villages of Forest Row and Hartfield, and some 2 miles from each. A minor road opposite the Church leads to the Hatch Inn (1/4 mile) and across the forest to the Ashdown Park Hotel and Ashdown Forest Visitor Centre (both 2 ½ miles) and Wych Cross (3 miles).
The parish of Coleman’s Hatch (population around 700) is a quintessentially rural idyll comprising a scattering of farms, houses and cottages on the Northern fringes of the Ashdown Forest, an area of outstanding natural beauty. ‘Hatch’ is a name for a gate or entrance to the forest. The Church can be seen as the centre of the hamlet as there are no shops and the only other features are the Hatch Inn and a phone box.
07929 939116
CHURCH CODE: 610477
DIOCESE: Chichester
ARCHDEACONRY: HASTINGS
DEANERY: ROTHERFIELD
BENEFICE: Hartfield w Coleman’s Hatch
BENEFICE ID: 10-162BP
PARISH LEGAL NAME: Coleman’s Hatch
Site Developer C J Payne