Work is well underway on the churchyard of Hull’s Holy Trinity Church to create a completely renovated open area in Trinity Square.
The redevelopment of Trinity Square, including the grounds of Holy Trinity, is a key element of the multi-million pounds transformation of the public realm in Hull city centre. The Holy Trinity project is being delivered in partnership with Hull City Council, and the Holy Trinity Development Trust is contributing £400,000 to the costs of the Trinity Square renovation, to account for the works within the church grounds.
The removal of the churchyard wall and gates at the western entrance of England’s largest parish church will create a new piazza setting which will become a showpiece events venue and gathering place during Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017.
Particular care and diligence is being taken to observe the value and heritage of this historic site which involves the lifting and recording of commemorative ledger stones, many of which are cracked and severely damaged. Experts from Humber Field Archaeology are recording all the stones, in writing and photographically, and those worthy of keeping will be retained within Holy Trinity.
York stone removed from the deteriorating churchyard is to be repurposed by a landscaper who restores heritage monuments and cityscapes. Broken and unmarked stones will be buried within the church’s boundary on consecrated ground.
The over-mature black poplar tree which dominates the western entrance of the church will be felled and the wood used for furniture and carvings within Holy Trinity. Cuttings taken from the tree will be given to Hull City Council to be replanted in a suitable location.
The Victorian gates and gate piers are also likely to be reused at the Trinity Burial Ground where works are underway in preparation for the upgrading of the A63 Castle Street. An archaeological review has found that stone within the wall is of very poor grade and unlikely to be of any use in future building. Consequently, the church has accepted an offer to remove the wall for use for landscaping within a local conservation area.