Guildford in Surrey, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Holy Trinity Church

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 13, 2026

1. Holy Trinity Church Marker

Inscription. The present brick building stands on the site of an earlier church, which may have had its origins in late Saxon times. The first record of Holy Trinity is in the 12th century, when it belonged to the Augustinian canons of Merton Priory. By the later Middle Ages, Holy Trinity had become the foremost of Guildford's three parish churches. It is here that Henry Norbridge, Mayor of Guildford, was buried in 1512. He left land to the south of the town the rent of which would pay for a 'chantry' - that is, for prayers to be said for his soul. This land to this day is known as The Chantries. In 1540 Sir Richard Weston of Sutton Place built his chantry chapel on the south side of the church in a chequered pattern of flint and stone: this is the only part of the earlier church which survives. Both chantries were closed down in 1548 at the time of the Reformation.

George Abbot, a Guildfordian who became Archbishop of Canterbury and who built the magnificent Hospital or old people's home across the street, was buried in Holy Trinity in a magnificent tomb in 1633. However, by Georgian times the church had been allowed to fall into

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

disrepair and in 1740 the central tower fell, destroying most of the ancient building.

The present church was completed in 1763, designed in the Palladian style by the architect James Home. Much of the work was paid for by the Onslow family of Clandon Park, whose crest can be seen over the clock face. In 1888, the church was extended at the east end. This involved removing a great deal of earth-end burials. This was piled up to form an L-shaped mound in the churchyard behind.

When the diocese of Guildford was formed in 1927, Holy Trinity acted as the pro-cathedral until the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit was consecrated on Stag Hill in 1961.

Erected by Guildford Borough.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 51° 14.16′ N, 0° 34.264′ W. Marker is in Guildford, England, in Surrey. It is on High Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 158 High Street, Guildford, England GU1 3AJ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in

Holy Trinity Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 13, 2026

2. Holy Trinity Church

the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Holy Trinity Church: a thousand years of Christian history (here, next to this marker); Abbot's Hospital (a few steps from this marker); The Three Pigeons (within shouting distance of this marker); Holy Trinity Churchyard: a place for peace and reflection (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Abbot's Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Guildhall (within shouting distance of this marker); Tunsgate Arch (within shouting distance of this marker); Quakers' Acre (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guildford.

Holy Trinity Church, Guildford image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Frith and Co. Ltd., 1910

3. Holy Trinity Church, Guildford

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on June 22, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.