A WALK ROUND THE BUILDING
This guide will take you on a clockwise tour of Holy Trinity and point out its main features. Numbers in brackets refer to those on the plan which is available at the back of the church.
Begin at the MAIN ENTRANCE (1), the West Door.
Ideally churches were supposed to be built on an east-west axis, but because of the nature of the site, Holy Trinity is actually on a north-east, south-west axis.
However, the traditional terms – west end, east end, north aisle, south aisle are used.
Facing you is the NAVE, with the NORTH AISLE on your left and the SOUTH AISLE on your right. At the far end are the SANCTUARY and HIGH ALTAR, the heart of the church. Above you is the GALLERY (sometimes used by the Choir) with the WAR MEMORIAL.
On the wall Immediately to your left (2) is the LIST OF CLERGY who have led this congregation since the 18th century, and the BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE which records the names of those whose funerals have taken place here.
Now go to your left, round the corner and into the BAPTISTRY. (3) The stone FONT is by C. Pilkington Jackson, who also designed the Bruce Memorial at Bannockburn, Stirlingshire. Beside the font is the EASTER CANDLE which is lit during the Easter season and at baptisms and funerals. The five ‘nails’ represent the wounds of the crucified Christ. (An additional portable font stands in the corner. It is used when the baptism takes place on the central platform area.)
On the wall boards is an exhibition giving glimpses of the history of Holy Trinity. One of the sections is devoted to the church’s ARCHITECT, John Loughborough Pearson (1817-1897). Holy Trinity is the only complete example of his work in Scotland and is a Grade A listed building. The large framed drawing, signed by Pearson himself, shows his original design for the exterior, including a magnificent spire (never built, but completed as a tower in the 1960’s.) The large chest against the wall is used to store the frontals for the High Altar.
The ropes lead up to the BELFRY where there is one large bell. The SMALL BELL on the stand near the entrance to the Baptistry was cast in the Netherlands in 1625 and belonged to the earlier church which stood on this site. It came originally from a church at Barnweil, between Ayr and Kilmarnock. The two WINDOWS show Moses (on the left) and Joshua (on the right).
Going down the NORTH AISLE (4) you will notice the two windows showing St James, and the Patron Saint of Scotland, St Andrew. The gap between the pews is reserved for wheelchair users. The PULPIT (5) is one of the building’s finest features. Jesus as the Good Shepherd is the central figure.
Go up the steps into the Girvan Chapel, with an altar from the now closed St John’s Girvan (6) past Ayr Arts Guild’s Steinway grand piano (made in 1895) in its splendid case. The organ is a 3- Manual Renaissance Quantum Q345C made by Allen Organs of Pennsylvania, USA, installed in 2008. It has 56 speaking stops, 11 non-speaking stops, 11 couplers and a full pedal board. The window dates from the time when the Royal Scots Fusiliers regiment was stationed in Ayr. It shows (appropriately) Joshua at the seige of Jericho, and the conversion of the centurion Cornelius. The wooden CRUCIFIX on the wall was carved in Oberammergau, Bavaria.
A door leads to the choir and clergy Vestries or robing-rooms.
Go back down, past the pulpit and on to the PLATFORM. (7) This was added in 1989 and reflects a change in liturgical thinking which sought to bring the action of the Eucharist closer to the congregation. At one end is a large brass LECTERN or reading-desk. (The eagle, king of birds, carries the gospel message throughout the world.)
The NAVE ALTAR usually stands in the centre of the platform for most services. The platform is also used as a performance area for concerts.
Go up the steps into the CHOIR (8) passing under the wrought-iron ROOD SCREEN, so named because it leads up to a cross (the Holy Rood).
Holy Trinity Choir is affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music The arms of the RSCM appear at the platform end of each set of choir stalls. The side windows above show various saints, among them St Kevoca (or Quivox) who lived in this area in the 7th century.
Move on towards the SANCTUARY (9) which is separated off by the ALTAR RAIL. The gilded and painted wooden REREDOS above the High Altar was designed by Frank Pearson, son of the church’s architect. The stones on top of the altar came from St John’s, the mediaeval parish church of Ayr, demolished in the 18th century.
The embroidered panel in front of the Altar varies according to the time of the Church’s year.
The six WINDOWS above the Altar show the sacrifice of Christ (the lower three), with the Crucifixion at the centre, and Christ in Glory (the upper three).
On the left is an AUMBRY or wall-safe in which are kept consecrated oils (used at baptisms and confirmations and for anointing the sick). The CHAIR on the left is for the use of the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway when he is present at services.
On the right are the SEDILIA (three seats for the clergy), and a PISCINA or stone sink, used for cleaning the vessels after a Communion service.
Steps lead down into ST JOHN’s CHAPEL. (10)
On the pillar as you go down is an IKON or devotional image. It shows the Virgin and Child and is a copy of a Russian original. At the foot of the steps is another eagle LECTERN – a memorial to members of St John’s Mission Church who died in the 1914-1918 War.
The stained-glass WINDOW above the Altar tells the story of the coming of Christianity to south-west Scotland.
To the right of the Altar behind the small curtain is another AUMBRY or wall-safe which contains the RESERVED SACRAMENT – consecrated bread and wine from the main Sunday service which is taken round to members of the congregation who are unable to come to church. The Reserved Sacrament is also used as a focus for private prayer and devotion.
When consecrated bread and wine are present the SANCTUARY LAMP (hanging above) is kept lit. The body of the lamp is in silver and was made in Italy.
The CARPET is a Wilton copy of the Ardabil Persian Carpet. The original, woven in the early 16th century for the Mosque of Ardabil in north Iraq, is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The brass WALL PLAQUES commemorate various members of the congregation, some of whom are buried below.
The SIDE WINDOWS show people and events prominent in the history of Christianity in Scotland – during the Middle Ages (the set nearer the altar), and during the 17th and 19th centuries.
Another fine wrought-iron SCREEN separates the Chapel from the main body of the Church.
As you leave the chapel you step down into the SOUTH AISLE.
High above the entrance to the chapel is a ROSE WINDOW. The two SIDE WINDOWS show St Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and St Mark, the earliest Gospel writer.