Penn Street, Buckinghamshire

The Holy Trinity (parish church)

The church of Holy Trinity, built in 1849, is a cruciform edifice of flint and stone, in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, transepts, south porch and a central tower with spire containing 3 bells: on the east wall of the north transept is a replica of Raphael's Transfiguration, presented by Earl Howe G.C.V.O. in 1905, and formerly the altar piece at Curzon chapel, Mayfair: there are brasses in the chancel to King Edward VII., Gen. Sir Francis Warde K.C.B. and Annabella, his wife, and one to the memory of the 1st Earl Howe, who built the church; also to the 3rd Earl Howe (d. 1900); to Lady Eyre; to Hon. Frederick Curzon, in whose memory the oak panelling and screen were erected; to Isabella Countess Howe; and three to servants of the Howe family: the east window and two other are stained: on the north wall of the chancel is the banner of Sir William Howe who fought the battle of Bunker's Hill, which was formerly for many years in Westminster Abbey: the church was thoroughly restored in 1900 by Earl Howe G.C.V.O. in memory of his father, at a cost of over £1,000, and the interior by the parish, at a further expense of £150: in 1908 an organ was presented in memory of the 3rd Earl Howe: King Edward VII. attended divine service in Penn Street church, January 19th, 1902, on the occasion of his visit to Earl Howe G.C.V.O. at Penn House: there are 300 sittings. There are memorials in the churchyard over the remains of the 3rd Earl Howe: of Lady Evelyn Eyre, his daughter; of Georgiana, Countess Howe, first wife of the 4th Earl Howe, and of the Countess of Wilton.