Holy Trinity Church Heritage Open Days Festival

One of Southport’s grandest churches is opening its doors to welcome people during the Heritage Open Days Festival for the first time. 

Holy Trinity, a Grade 2* Listed Building on Hoghton Street in Southport town centre, has lots for people to discover between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 19th September 2026.

This landmark building, with beautiful stonework and stunning stained glass windows, will be running a programme of events throughout the day and will also have community stalls from local organisations.

Celebrating the recent publication of their new guide book detailing the church's fascinating history, the church welcomes everyone to learn more about this fantastic building and the people who contributed to its story.

Admission is free, with no booking required.

Southport Heritage Open Days is back this September after its huge success last year.

England’s largest festival of history and culture returns 11th-20th September 2026 with over 20 Southport events already available on the Heritage Open Days website in addition to events across the UK.

Prior to 1821, when Christ Church on Lord Street in Southport was built, the whole of North Meols parish, which stretched from Hundred End in the North to the Birkdale / Ainsdale boundary in the south, was served by the ancient church of St Cuthbert’s in Churchtown.

As Southport grew rapidly, so did the need for more churches.

The Reverend Charles Hesketh, who came to North Meols as Rector in 1835, took immediate steps to provide additional church accommodation both in Southport and Crossens with the help of his brother Peter Fleetwood Hesketh, who was the Lord of the Manor.

Two churches, Holy Trinity and St John’s Crossens were both built in 1837.

In 1893 a meeting was held to consider plans for a new Holy Trinity Church on the same site.

This was consecrated by Bishop Chavasse of Liverpool on 12th March 1912 in the presence of a large congregation with the impressive tower completed and dedicated on 15th February 1913.

Holy Trinity plays a central role in the local community, supporting Holy Trinity Primary School, where Ann Charters is the new Headteacher, adjacent to the church.

There will be displays from Holy Trinity Guides, Brownies and Scouts, and from partner organisations such as the Forget Me Not Dementia Cafe at the nearby Southport YMCA, Compassion Acts, and the Light For Life homeless charity.

MC for the day will be Musical Director Dan Mansfield, leading performances on the church’s organs, including a rare double recital. You can listen to the magnificent choir with singers aged seven and upwards, which has recently returned from performing in Dublin.

Visitors can enjoy three guided tours throughout the day.

You can buy copies of the brand new Holy Trinity guide book, detailing the church's fascinating history and the people who have contributed to its story, which has been written and produced by Marlyn’s husband, Ken Smith.

Marlyn Banham, the Parish Safeguarding Officer, a member of the PCC and a former Holy Trinity Primary School Head of Governors, said: 

“We are excited to invite you to Holy Trinity, a Grade 2* Listed Building for our first Heritage event.

“There will be the opportunity to learn more about the history and construction of the building and magnificent stained-glass windows with guided tours available throughout the day.

“Everyone is welcome, and admission is free.

“However, Holy Trinity is much more than a building, it is a Christian community for the community.

“We have a primary school, uniformed organisations, a very active choir that provides a free musical education for children and so much more.

“Come and sample a range of activities and lots of information about the support offered by other organisations too.

“Refreshments and a delicious hot lunch will be available, a foretaste of our weekly lunch club!

“You can also purchase a copy of our new guide book."

Event programme:

10am - Welcome & introduction by the Church Wardens
10:15am - Organ recital
10:30am - Poetry reading
10:45am - Presentation by Holy Trinity school pupils
11:15am - Flower arranging demonstration / guided tour of the church
12pm - Poetry reading
1pm - Guided tour of the church
1:30pm - 2:15pm - Organ recital and church choir
2:15pm - Flower arranging demonstration/guided tour of the church
4pm - Closing remarks and thanks

Booking information

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Access for wheelchair users by ramp at the right side of the church. The main body of the church is wheelchair accessible but there are steps to the choir stalls and lady chapel.

For more Heritage Open Days events in Southport, visit: www.heritageopendays.org.uk