The following article was written by Irene Cranwell:
If you want to see – and touch – real history, go into the church. At the back of the pulpit, in the angle of the wall, you will see what appears to be a little semi-circular stone shelf. Gaze upon it in awe, for you are looking at real history. That little bit of stone was once part of the old church which, before, during and quite a long time after the Norman invasion, was part of a column or pillar, absorbed into the wall when the church was later enlarged.
The de la Poles had a hand in extending and enlarging the church. I often wonder if it was that family that was responsible for the changing of the dedication from the Blessed Virgin Mary to Holy Trinity. It was that wealthy merchant family of de la Poles who founded the city of Kingston upon Hull in the 11th and 12th centuries, and the church they built there was also Holy Trinity.
Centuries later the Victorians had a field day at Chrishall Church. They “turned the house out of the windows” as housewives used to say when they started their spring cleaning. They shunted things about, put things here, moved them somewhere else and left behind a beautifully matched vestry, and a fine king post roof in the chancel as examples of their solid worth and workmanship.
It was during this time of bustling activity that the commemorative brass to the de la Poles was placed in its present position in the Baptistry. It has had three “homes”. Originally it was where the High Altar stands at the east end of the chancel. I cannot tell you when it was moved to the place where the organ now stands. The third move is well documented.
Miss Hile, Chrishall school headmistress
Many years ago, the Headmistress of the school, Miss Rosalie Hile, had an operation supposedly for the removal of a goitre; but it proved to be much more serious and a cancer was discovered. However skill and loving care triumphed and she completely recovered and lived to be over 90. As a thank offering for her restoration to health, her father, Mr D.J. Hile, donated the oak cross and candlesticks that stand on the altar in the Lady Chapel. When Mr Hile died, his two daughters gave the two large candlesticks that stand in the Sanctuary, in his memory.
The Hiles were good friends to the church, staunch supporters and generous benefactors. Miss Hile was a brilliant musician and her sister, Mrs Jessie Kay, a very talented needlewoman. Mrs Kay made the white and gold Easter altar frontal. She also made a replica for the cathedral in Toronto, Canada.
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The big re-opening of the church in 1869
And finally, did you notice the lamp outside the church door in the picture above?
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