Our Sunday Services
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Matins
The Book of Common Prayer
BCP - is the traditional service book of the Church of England, and is central to its faith
It was compiled in the 16th Century by Thomas Cranmer. Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI. It was modified in 1662 following the restoration of the Monarchy after Cromwell.
Here at Holy Trinity Church the Book of Common Prayer has been and continues to be loved for its wonderful language, dignified and memorable but always speaking to our human condition. It is a prayer book that allows us to honour God and to be guided to live out our lives so that the will of God may always be clearly seen. It is the official doctrinal standard of the Church of England, as well as of most other Churches in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Please see our What’s On page for our Service times and dates.
Holy Communion
At Holy Trinity we like to use traditional texts from the Book of Common Prayer. Our Holy Communion service therefore reflects this tradition and is derived and refined from the Book of Common Prayer.
The Holy Communion service is at the very core of our Christian Faith. Its origins can be found inThe Lord’s Supper, or Last Supper, which Jesus had with his Disciples the night that he was betrayed. There, he consecrated bread and wine, representing his body and blood which he sacrificed for us all, that our sins might be forgiven and that we might have eternal life.
Our participation at the Lord’s table at a Holy Communion service remains a very special moment.
Please see our What’s On page for our Service times and dates.
Choral Evensong
Choral Evensong – An introduction. Historically, Choral Evensong is believed to have been derived from two Catholic services, namely Vespers and Compline. Our Choral Evensong is a very special service. Ashdown Forest has a uniquely beauty in summer and blesses us with a beautiful time of day, and in winter gives us the anticipation of Christmas or spring to come; or maybe it’s because a Sunday evening gives us a time of calm and reflection before we take on the challenge of the week ahead.
Evensong has been defined as “a peace-inducing service in which the ‘song’ of voices sounding together in harmony is heard at the ‘eve’ point between the active day and restful night”.
Please see our What’s On page for our Service times and dates.
About the Church Fabric
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 of 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 entrance to the forest.
The present church and parish were created following major disagreement between the churches principal benefactor John McAndrew, a wealthy landowner, and the rector of Hartfield. The church was concentrated on 13th of November 1913. The benefices of Hartfield and Colemans hatch for reunited in 1979.
Interior features
- the tower and spire houses a bell chamber with a peal of eight bells and quarter chimes by Gilbert & Johnston
- a memorial at the west end of the north aisle opposite the entrance commemorate those of the parish from both world wars
- the two pictures on the south wall of the church of copies from the National Gallery. By the Southeast door is The dead Christ with the Virgin Mary and Angels’ by Francia and by the Southwest door is The Holy Family by Murillo
- an alabaster tablet in memory of John McAndrew is on the south wall
- the stained glass windows were added a different dates, all in the first half of the 20th century
- in the chancel, the reredos behind the altar is in 13th century early English style
- the east window depicts St Paul and St Stephen and Isaiah and Jacob
- the organ, built by Messrs. J W Walker and Son 1913, is listed in the register of his Historic Pipe Organs 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 2019 and is now cared for by the Victoria Cross Trust