Known for the dignified formality of its worship services, Holy Trinity maintains the classic Anglican pattern of Prayer Book liturgy with seasonal variations, Bible readings based on the Lectionary, and liturgically coloured robes/vestments. (Restrictions introduced in 2020 due to COVID-19 mean individual cups are being used during Holy Communion, and some aspects of our services such as the involvement of the choir, and the occasional use of incense, are limited at present.) As with all Anglican churches, there is an emphasis on hearing God's word through readings from the Bible, and an attempt to grapple with its meaning and significance in Bible focused sermons.
Holy Trinity is a city church, seeking to be a presence in the CBD and drawing its congregation from well beyond its formal parish boundary. We aim to be an evolving expression of formal Anglican worship with a compassionate pastoral care for all. Our parish also includes three smaller church centres: St Andrew’s, Evandale, St Matthias’, Windermere and St James’, Franklin Village.
In addition to his role as Rector of Holy Trinity, Dane is Archdeacon for the Northern Ministry District in the Diocese of Tasmania, and a member of the Diocesan Council. He is a member of the General Synod Liturgy Commission and has been a member of the General Synod since 2001. He is a Board member of Launceston Church Grammar School, having previously served on the Council of Trinity Grammar School for 23 years, and was chairman of the Council of Rouse Hill Anglican College from its commencement in 2002 until the end of 2007. He is a Board member of Broughton Publishing, which is owned by the Anglican Church of Australia and publishes A Prayer Book for Australia.
He worked as an Auto Electrician until he experienced God’s call to ministry in 1974. He travelled with his family to St John’s College Morpeth to study for the ordained ministry.
On returning to Tasmania he served in the parishes of Burnie, St James New Town and George Town before accepting a chaplaincy position in the Royal Australian Air Force. For the next 20 years home was where the air force sent them. Ken completed his time in the RAAF as Director of Chaplaincy in Training Command. During his RAAF career he completed a Diploma of Education and Master of Ministry degree together with qualifications in relationship counselling and psychology.
In semi-retirement he has served in several locum roles in Tasmanian parishes before accepting his current position as Associate Priest at Holy Trinity.
Ken’s hobbies include working around his farm, sailing and a vintage MG sports car.
The first parish church in the town, St John’s, had reached capacity by 1838 and it was decided that a new church should be built. Plans were drawn up by the former convict architect, James Blackburn. The Governor, Sir John Franklin, approved an application for the land in August 1839 and the church opened for worship on 27 September 1842. The first Rector (inducted in May 1844) was the Rev’d William Gibbon, the first of several short incumbencies before the 46 year ministry of the Rev’d Francis Hales.
It was towards the end of Hales’ time as Rector that the original church developed structural issues and work commenced on the current building designed by Alexander North. Opened in 1902, the present church was intended to be only stage one, consisting of the chancel, transepts, chapel and vestries. A ‘temporary’ corrugated iron wall (which stayed in place for 80 years!) covered the space where the nave and spire were to join, but these were never constructed. Financial constraints, two World Wars and a Depression all no doubt contributed to the delay, and by the 1980s it was clear that the building as planned would never be completed. The present narthex, office, kitchen and toilets have provided a very functional smaller scale alternative.
Extensive information about Holy Trinity’s pipe organ can be found here.
In addition to the traditional staples of Sunday services, Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, the parish has featured many groups and activities through its history of more than 175 years. These have included choirs, GFS (for girls), CEBS (for boys), women’s groups, men’s groups, Sunday Schools and servers guilds - each an attempt to meet the needs of the community at the particular time.
At various times the parish has also included the churches of St Barnabas’ Alanvale, St George’s Invermay, All Saints Ravenswood, Holy Family Inveresk, St Peter’s St Leonards and All Souls Patersonia. Some of these continued independently and others have been closed and sold over the years. The parish currently incorporates St Andrew’s, Evandale, which has a service at 5.00pm each Sunday, as well as St Matthias’, Windermere and St James’, Franklin Village, in each of which services are held twice a month and on special occasions.
As is true of every church, Holy Trinity has had its share of both prosperous and lean times. In more recent years, some of the housing in the parish has given way to commercial premises. People have therefore travelled in from the wider area and we have seen fewer families among the regular attenders. The changing nature of the local community has brought new challenges which stretch our resources. But the essential task of proclaiming Christ is unchanged and remains our priority.
Some years ago, an urgent need for conservation / restoration work to be carried out on the stained glass and the the carved sandstone led to the establishment of a Conservation Fund. Work of the kind necessary can only be carried out by expert craftsmen and is, necessarily, quite an expensive undertaking.
With the assistance of the National Trust of Australia, we are able to accept tax-deductible donations towards all such restoration work, and new projects are always on the horizon. Please contact us for more information.
Midweek services are being held at the usual times, but there is currently no Choral Evensong on the first Sunday of the month. (Regular evening services are being held at St Andrew’s, Evandale at 5.00pm each Sunday.) As restrictions ease further this information will be updated and in time we hope to return to the patterns listed below.
There is a clear emphasis on hearing God’s word in the Bible readings, and grappling with its meaning and significance in Bible focused sermons. Joining in Holy Communion each Sunday is a regular reminder that we gather in the name of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for our sins. When possible, we include one or two hymns in the service, but otherwise all parts of this service are said rather than sung.
We share in Morning Tea at the conclusion of the service.
Apart from January, our small but dedicated choir is present to lead the music and the service — using the second form from A Prayer Book for Australia 1995 — is rather formal, and includes the use of incense on some Sundays.
A key part of our time together is hearing God's word in the Bible readings, and grappling with its meaning and significance in Bible focused sermons. Holy Communion is a regular reminder that Christ gave his life for our sins.
We share in Morning Tea at the conclusion of the service.
Regular evening services are at St Andrew’s, Evandale at 5.00pm each Sunday.
Our usual pattern for Christmas Services is:
Christmas Eve:
5pm Family Service
11pm Eucharist/Holy Communion (with choir)
Christmas Day:
9am Eucharist/Holy Communion
A 'carols and lessons' service is usually held in the preceding weeks, depending on where in the week Christmas falls.
Our usual pattern for Easter Services is:
Maundy Thursday:
6pm Eucharist/Holy Communion
Good Friday:
9.45am Devotional Meditation: 'The Way of the Cross' (or 'Stations of the Cross')
10.30am Good Friday service (including Communion)
Easter Sunday:
8.30am Eucharist/Holy Communion
10.30am Eucharist/Holy Communion
The baptism of a child can be a very significant social event for families, and parents request baptism because they are eager to do the very best for their children. We ask parents to take time to properly understand what baptism means, so that the words expressed in the service are meant from the heart.
In past generations, baptism of children was very common, but many adults today - and especially younger adults - are not baptised. To find out more, come along to one of our services and speak to a member of the staff. (By the way, many people use the term ‘Christening’, but both the Bible and our Anglican Prayer Book use the proper term, which is ‘baptism’.)
In order to satisfy the requirements of Australian law and Anglican Church policy, our Marriage Services always follow one of the authorised Anglican Prayer Book forms and are conducted by one of our staff.
It may be possible for other Ministers to assist in the service. We will be pleased to meet with you and discuss what is involved. Marriage services can be conducted at any mutually convenient time, but our regular activities on Sundays mean that we are unable to accept bookings for Sunday weddings.
Whether a service is planned for the church, crematorium chapel, or other location, we welcome enquiries from those who live in our parish or who have had significant connections with Holy Trinity in the past. Please contact us as early as possible to ascertain the availability of the church and ministers.
Children & Youth Young people of all ages are welcome at our services and activities and we aim to offer suitable activities. A program for younger children is offered at our Sunday 8.30am service.
Bible Study Small groups can be a wonderful part of church life. They complement Sunday services by offering opportunity for discussion, friendship, mutual support and prayer. A key aspect of most groups is time spent exploring the Bible together. Meeting times and locations vary. Contact us for more information.
Prayer Meeting A small group meets for prayer each week between our morning services (currently suspended due to COVID restrictions). We start at 10am and keep strictly to 15 minutes. You are most welcome to join us in praying for our community and church.
Choir The choir sings at the 10:30am Sunday Eucharist except during January. Practices are held every Sunday morning before the service (starting at 9.45am), as well as on two Saturdays each month at 2.30pm. Weddings, Christmas, Easter and special occasions are also opportunities for the choir to help enrich our worship experience. Singing is an important expression of our liturgy at Holy Trinity and we welcome new members who would like to join the choir.
Services in Aged Care Facilities We help to provide regular church services in a number of local aged care facilities, including Glenara Lakes, Sandhill, Riverside Views and The Manor.
Special Events Holy Trinity regularly hosts cultural events such as concerts and exhibitions. For up to date details of special events, please refer to our Facebook page