Seventeen Nineteen is an ambitious re-imagining of how Holy Trinity—Sunderland’s first parish church—could be used to serve its community once more. Constructed in 1719, the year that saw Sunderland recognised by parliament as a parish in its own right, the building is a monument to our city’s birth and has many stories to tell.
In its prime, Holy Trinity functioned as a community hub, drawing a congregation of over 6,000. The building housed Sunderland’s first library, first fire engine, and a dedicated meeting room for the vestrymen in charge of parish business.
With the closure of Sunderland’s port, the city’s focal point shifted westward, leaving the East End and Holy Trinity behind. The church closed its doors in 1988, and the building stood largely empty for decades.
In 2019 a five-million-pound grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund saved the building, carrying out award-winning restoration work to preserve this important part of Sunderland’s heritage for generations to come. This historic venue has burst back to life and reclaimed its active role in the community. Seventeen Nineteen is now in its third and final year of grant-funded activity, putting on everything from gigs, theatre, conferences, workshops, cinema, art exhibitions and more.
The Old Black Cat Jazz Club happens on the third Friday of the month for laid-back live music and a regular get-together of friends that is going from strength to strength in a city not necessarily known for jazz – but the people of Sunderland have spoken. November’s spot by Lindsay Hannon’s Blues trio was a triumph of style, substance and gin-soaked ambience. Lindsay is loved by the city, with a magnetic ability to draw its glittering culturati out in support and congregation. The church surroundings acted in concert with the minimalist lineup of Alan Law on keys and Paul Grainer on double bass, with all of the elements tied together in buttery reverb yet sitting in their own space acoustically as Lindsay sauntered and soared above us, filling the space and our hearts with joy.
Next month’s Christmas special with Pete Tanton leading on trumpet and flugelhorn promises a laid-back take on the great American songbook and some cool jazz interpretations of Christmas classics. Expect mince pies and singalongs to carry you into the festive break full of good cheer.
Tickets available via Eventbrite. For information on this and many more events follow @17nineteen on social media.
