Holy Trinity Church, Barnoldswick

The ‘new’ church of Holy Trinity, Barnoldswick, was consecrated in 1960 by Dr Donald Coggan, Bishop of Bradford, and future Archbishop of Canterbury. It had previously enjoyed a tower, but was replaced on account of structural problems, getting instead a small but distinctive copper spire.

Its design is meant to be inspired by the church on Iona. Certainly, it is pleasant and airy; while nodding to the gothic style, it is thoroughly modern with an extra floor allowing gazing rights into the nave below. A number of colourful mosaics adorn various items including font and altar.

The latter is rather peculiar, featuring as it does a large eye, a supposed symbol of freemasonry or the Egyptian god Horus. Its inclusion was theologically clumsy but probably well intentioned, representing the all-seeing Father in the trinitarian motif. Yet people with a penchant for the esoteric and Christians particularly afraid of Satan’s wiles and chicanery will likely take exception to this large, unblinking eye staring out at them.

Of greater import is the actual eye, or rather the perfect knowledge, of God which sees all, including that within our hearts. To appear before a judge who cannot be hoodwinked by eloquent arguments, sob stories, withheld evidence or lying witnesses is a truly terrible prospect to any of us who have transgressed the moral law (which means all of us). If we have an all-seeing Judge, it is wonderful indeed to have a gracious Saviour who bore our penalty and paid our fine, rendering us righteous in God's sight.

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen. -Book of Common Prayer