William Shakespeare's Church: "Holy Trinity Anglican, Stratford-upon-Avon"

William Shakespeare’s Church:

Holy Trinity Anglican, Stratford-upon Avon

(102 miles northwest of London, as the crow flies

 at about 11 A.M.)

            Here is a hymn sung in 1989 at William Shakespeare’s Church at Stratford-upon-Avon.  The name of the church is Holy Trinity Anglican Church.  

            William Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, was the mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon and was responsible for implementing the Elizabethan Settlement, including “that old Anglican Book of Common Prayer," the virtual equivalent of the 1662 version.  John Shakespeare was also responsible for the hiring of a very Reformed  and Calvinistic Anglican cleric as the Rector of Holy Trinity.

            William grew up under the guidance, instruction and formation of the old Book.  If the “walls could talk!”  If the walls do not talk, the documentary records do speak.

            William was baptized here in 1564 using “that old Book.”  The baptismal record still exists. 

            William was married here in 1582, using the 1559 Book of Common Prayer.  The record of marriage still exists.   That form is still used, quite often.

            William’s children were baptized here in the 1580s.  His children were baptized with essentially the same baptismal form as Reformation Anglicanism’s four children.  Essentially, the same form as has been used for centuries for Anglican families.  Again, baptismal documentary records exist.

            William retired after a busy playwright’s life in London in/or around 1613ish. He retired to Stratford-upon-Avon.  He died in 1616.  His wife died in 1623 and this is also documented…this is in the documentary records of this old Anglican Church. 

            William was buried using the "old Book's" service, "The Order for the Burial of the Dead."  It was the same service used to bury my Father two years ago.   It is the service that has been used for millions.

            Here is a hymn followed by some pictures from Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. 

            Whatever Shakepseare’s views and lifestyle (still under review), from cradle to grave, he, his wife, his children and his family was Anglican.  This is a little appreciated fact about William.

              Here's an old school and charming hymn sung at Holy Trinity.  If the "walls could talk!"

The hymn:  “The Day Thou Gavest Lord is ended” (Stratford-upon-Avon)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTeGSG50JBE&feature=youtu.be

          Some pictures:

William and Anne Shakespeare were buried at the front of the sanctuary. Notice the wall inset to the

 left, a commemoration of William put up shortly after his death at 53 (shy of a few days).