A mid-Victorian Episcopal church was enlarged as Dunoon prospered and continues to serve a worshipping community after recent conservation work.
Quick facts
- Date
- Opened 1850; enlarged from 1894
- Architect / designer
- John Henderson; enlargement by Alexander Ross
- Type
- Gothic Revival Episcopal church
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB26448)
- OS grid reference
- NS 16533 76462
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The stone church uses lancet windows, steep roofs and a defined chancel in an early Gothic Revival idiom. Ross’s later work expanded the original composition while respecting its liturgical focus and hillside character.
Its story
The congregation opened Henderson’s church in 1850. Later resort growth supported enlargement by Alexander Ross, and a twenty-first-century conservation campaign addressed the needs of an active historic building.
Why it is included
The Category B church adds another denominational strand to Dunoon’s history and brings work by two notable Scottish church architects into the launch group.
What to notice
- Lancet windows and steeply pitched slate roofs.
- The architectural join between Henderson’s church and Ross’s enlargement.
- Liturgical and memorial fittings when the church is legitimately open.
Reading the surroundings
Check advertised services and events. The church and graveyard require quiet, respectful visiting, and interior access is not assumed outside opening times.
Timeline
- 11 September 1850 Holy Trinity was consecrated and opened for Episcopal worship.
- 1894 Alexander Ross began a substantial enlargement of the church.
- 2013 A conservation programme repaired and renewed the historic fabric.
- 2026 The congregation continues regular worship and community activity.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The precise completion year of every element in Ross’s enlargement campaign varies across summary accounts.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, LB26448 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Holy Trinity Dunoon — Current congregation, worship times, events and visitor contact.
- Holy Trinity Dunoon: our history — Detailed chronology of the 1850 church, later enlargement and conservation.
Location
OS grid reference NS 16533 76462 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; the independent source confirms the Place relationship, history or current identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.