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Holy Trinity Church in Ardington consists of a chancel 25 ft. 6 in. by 13 ft. 8 in., nave 51 ft. 6 in. by 17 ft. 3 in., with south aisle, making a total width of 28 ft. 8 in., north and south chapels, tower 9 ft. 8 in. square on the north of the nave, and north porch. All the measurements are internal.

The earliest part of the existing structure is the nave with the south arcade and chancel arch, which date from c. 1200. In the 13th century the present chancel was built with its side chapels and the north tower added. In the following century the north porch was built and in the 15th century the two arches were inserted in the west walls of the chancel chapels. The church was extensively restored in the 19th century, when the nave was lengthened by one bay, the south aisle and north chapel were rebuilt and the tower refaced and finished with a spire.

The 13th-century chancel has a 15th-century east window of three lights with restored tracery in a pointed head. In the north wall is a 15th-century window of two round-headed lights in an earlier opening having a segmental rear arch. Further west is an early 13th-century pointed arch of two hollowchamfered orders opening into the north chapel; the inner order rests on side shafts with moulded capitals and bases much restored; to the east of it is a squint with a segmental pointed head. The window in the south wall consists of coupled lancet lights with good mouldings under a segmental pointed and moulded rear arch, all of the 13th century. The sill is carried down to form a sedile, and further east is a trefoilheaded piscina with a moulded hood, shelf and circular drain. The 13th-century arch to the south chapel is of two segmental pointed and chamfered orders dying on to the responds. To the east of it is a squint with a pointed head. The chancel arch of about 1200 is of three acutely pointed and chamfered orders springing from side shafts with recut capitals and bases largely original. The modern decorations of the chancel include a painted stencilled roof, diapered walls, carved and painted oak reredos, painted panels on the side walls, carved rood screen and organ case, and a marble pavement of chequer work. The outer walls of the north chapel are modern 'decorated' of poor design and the roof is vaulted. In the south wall is a trefoil-headed piscina, and the squint on this side has a moulded trefoiled opening, the base of which forms a sedile. This work is of the 13th century considerably restored. In the west wall is a curious segmental pointed arch of three chamfered orders and apparently of 15thcentury date opening into the tower. The south chapel has two pairs of coupled lancets in the south wall and a moulded trefoiled head to the squint in the north wall. The arch opening into the nave aisle is of the 15th century and is four-centred, the inner order resting on carved corbels, the southern being very elaborate with a lion, dragon and trees.

The nave has in the north wall a 13th-century pointed arch of two chamfered orders opening into the tower, but much restored. The north doorway of about 1200 is of two semicircular moulded orders, the inner with a line of dog-tooth ornament and the outer resting on side shafts with mutilated foliage capitals and square abaci. Further west is a deeply splayed lancet window of the same date and set high in the wall and beyond it is a large uncusped window of two lights, restored. The south arcade of four bays has pointed arches of a single chamfered order resting on circular columns with good foliage capitals and restored bases on square plinths; the responds are square with moulded abaci, and in the eastern is a small niche with a projecting bowl. The third pier of the nave with the two half arches springing from it is modern; the rest of the work is of about 1200, the western respond and half arch being reset. The south aisle was rebuilt and perhaps widened at the restoration, but the old windows and door were reset. The first window is of the 16th century and has three square-headed lights with transoms, and the second consists of 13th-century coupled lancets. The restored 14th-century south doorway, further west, is moulded and pointed with ball-flower ornament, and above it is a 16th-century window of two squareheaded lights. The other windows, with the west wall and window of the nave, are modern. The nave roof is ancient and has curved principals with foliage bosses in the centres of the collars; it rests on carved human-head corbels of good design.

¶The north tower is three stages high and is finished with a modern broach spire of stone rising from a cornice on carved stone corbels. The tower has been refaced, but the diagonal buttresses at the outer angles are partly old. The ground stage has a modern north window, but the first floor has good old carved corbels. The 14th-century north porch has a moulded outer archway with a modern head. In the west wall is a single-light window, and built into the east or tower wall is a late 13th-century gable piece carved with two dragons. Above the outer arch inside is a carved canopy head.

Against the east wall of the south chapel is a handsome painted Jacobean monument to John Clarke and Susannah (Temple) his wife, erected by their son Edward; it has Corinthian side columns, a cleft pediment, angels, cherubs, and a coat of arms. In the north chapel is a large modern kneeling figure of marble with an inscription recording the benefactions of Robert Vernon, 1849. A few old tiles remain in both chapels. In the eastern window of the south aisle is some old grisaille glass with a shield of arms, Barry gules and argent. The 14th-century font has a massive octagonal bowl with a row of ball flowers round its base. The hexagonal pulpit is Jacobean with good carved and arcaded panels and a modern sounding-board. In the south aisle is a fine large panelled chest inscribed 'Richard Freetwell, founder, R.M. + I.B. churchwardens, A.D. 1638.'

There are six bells, all recast by J. Taylor of Loughborough in 1855.

The plate includes a cup and cover paten (London, 1573) with chased ornament; a flagon (London, 1633) inscribed, 'For the honour of Christ and pious use of humble Communicants at his table J Robert Batten give this for ever to the Parish Church of Ardington in Com Berkes aetat. meae 57 ano 1633.' 'Quae transferre solent alii post Funera Batten Vivus Dona magis dat sua grata Deo M. B. Vic.'; a paten (London, 1636) given by the same donor in 1636; and a modern cup and paten silver gilt.

The registers begin in 1674.

Historical information about Holy Trinity Church is provided by 'Parishes: Ardington', in A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 4, ed. William Page and P H Ditchfield (London, 1924), pp. 269-272. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/berks/vol4/pp269-272 [accessed 24 February 2023].

Holy Trinity Church is a Grade II* listed building. For more information about the listing see CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, Ardington - 1048189 | Historic England.

For more information about Holy Trinity Church see Parishes: Ardington | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk).