‘Your Church Newly Built…’: a history of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire

REVIEW BY ADAM KLUPS

Few church reordering projects are lucky enough to be celebrated with a book, but this publication by archaeologist Chiz Harward is a compelling exception. Commissioned to oversee archaeological work during the church’s major 2016-2021 reordering – the most extensive since 1842 – Harward found the site’s story too rich to leave buried in grey literature. This engaging and accessible volume explores the evolution of the church and its worshipping community within broader societal, religious, and architectural contexts. Highlights include a captivating chapter on ‘Death, Burial, and Memorial’, reflecting Harward’s extraordinary expertise in burial archaeology. Drawing on recent discoveries and fascinating primary sources, Harward portrays Holy Trinity as a dynamic, living space at the heart of Minchinhampton. Both scholarly and readable, this book will appeal to anyone interested in church history, archaeology, or the lives of Cotswold parish churches.