Work to restore Trinity Hall, the red-brick former church at the bottom of Victoria Road in Swindon, is uncovering Victorian features hidden by later alterations, Swindon24 reported on Saturday 5 September 2026. Equippers Church bought the building earlier in 2026, was handed the keys in the summer and is already holding services there.
What has been found?
- An impressive Victorian timber roof above the upper level
- Stained-glass windows, partly cut across by a floor inserted at some point in the building's life
- An original hardwood herringbone floor beneath a modern raised floor
Local historian Graham Carter, who visited with fellow historians, said: "This has got to be possibly the greatest roof in Swindon."
What is planned?
Equippers wants an auditorium of about 300 seats for services, performances and community events, and in time a community café and flexible events space on the main level. Location pastor Ben Crathorne said: "The long-term goal would be to have a community café that can open right into the street here in the town centre". The church is fundraising, and is working towards opening the upper-floor facilities around April 2027, a date it stresses is not confirmed.
The building's history
Trinity Hall was built in 1899 as Trinity Presbyterian Church. Mr Carter said it was linked to Scottish workers who came to Swindon as the Great Western Railway expanded. It was later used by Central Church from 1978 until 1990, and most recently by a pre-school and nursery, which has moved to Upham Road. Plans for offices and 13 flats had been approved before Equippers bought it; permission has since been granted for a return to religious use.
Source: Swindon24.