Holy Trinity • Westport

Discover Holy Trinity Church and our welcoming community in Westport.

History and architecture

 

Holy Trinity Church, in Westport, Co. Mayo, is a significant example of Gothic Revival architecture and holds considerable historical importance. Consecrated on September 26, 1872, the church was designed by Sir Thomas Newenham Deane, a prominent architect of the time.

The church was constructed on a site donated by George John Browne, the 3rd Marquess of Sligo, who also contributed £1,200 towards its construction. This new edifice replaced an earlier parish church which had been built in 1797, the ruins of which are located beside the Carrowbeg River within the Westport House demesne.

Architecturally, Holy Trinity Westport features a semicircular apse at the east end, with the organ situated on the north side, and a tower and spire on the south side. The spire reaches a height of 185 feet and is surmounted by a six-foot gilt metal Irish cross.

The interior is richly decorated, showcasing vibrant stained glass windows by artists such as William Wailes, Clayton and Bell, and Alexander Gibbs. A notable feature is the series of murals adorning the upper level of the nave, including, above the main entrance, a depiction of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”.

 

The church’s pulpit is intricately carved from alabaster, reportedly salvaged from a shipwreck in Clew Bay. Additionally, the sanctuary is lined with Carrar marble, and the striking mosaics and murals were crafted by Italian artisans, adding to the church’s artistic significance.

Holy Trinity Church is considered one of the finest works of Sir Thomas Newenham Deane and is a treasure trove for admirers of ecclesiastical art and architecture. Its design exemplifies the Ruskinian Gothic style, developed during the 1850s by Deane and his partner Benjamin Woodward, who consulted with John Ruskin on their designs for the Oxford Museum in England.

Over the years, the church has remained an important centre of Christian worship in the Anglican tradition and is of significance in the cultural and musical life not only of Westport and the county (Mayo) but nationally and beyond, through its hosting of such annual internationally recognised festivals as The Westport Festival of Chamber Music, The Rolling Sun Festival, and the Westport Blue Grass Festival.

 

Holy Trinity Church stands as a testament to the rich religious and cultural history of Westport, offering visitors and parishioners alike a glimpse into the town’s past through its stunning architecture and artistic features. Most of all, however, it is a place of Christian worship, witness and welcome.

Services are weekly on Sundays at 11.30am, followed by tea/coffee, and weekly on Wednesdays at 10.30am for Mid-week Holy Communion, followed by tea/coffee.  

VIDEOS