Welcome
Trinity Church has been the Episcopal community serving Wethersfield for over one hundred and fifty years. Our parish is a part of the world-wide Anglican Communion originating from The Church of England. The Anglican Communion is composed of autonomous national Churches united in affection and history through the Archbishop of Canterbury and through their worship, each using a version of The Book of Common Prayer – first printed in 1549.
All are welcome here, and anyone who has been baptized with water, in the Name of the Trinity, is encouraged to receive the Holy Communion in this place.
About the Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church strives to live by the message of Christ, and all are welcome. Walking a middle way between Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, we are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do and be, as followers of Christ.
Trinity's history
Trinity Parish dates from 1867 when the Reverend Henry W. Nelson, Jr., of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Hartford initiated a series of "Services According to the Order of the Episcopal Church" on a regular basis in town. The first of these services was held at Academy Hall on Sunday, January 12th at 3:00 PM. Some 120 persons were present, and it was noted that many came equipped with The Book of Common Prayer. By October of 1869 the papers organizing and incorporating the parish were signed, and later that same month it was agreed to purchase property on Main Street. The Architect was Edward Tuckerman Potter of New York, well known and respected because of his designs in Hartford for the Mark Twain House and for the Church of the Good Shepherd. The church is constructed of Portland brownstone transported by water to the Wethersfield Dock and carted to the building site by members of the congregation. The women of the parish then provided dinner. The cornerstone was laid on June 1, 1871, and consecration of the church took place October 4, 1874.
Soon after the construction of the church, adjacent land was purchased for a parish house. The original clapboard parish house remained in use until 1955 when the present hall was constructed. In 1963 the church was enlarged, and a new wing created for offices, music, class and meeting rooms.
Trinity Parish - Heritage Trail Plaque
READ more of TRINITY'S history from the Heritage Trail Plaque
Organ and interior symbols & shields
Austin Pipe Organ
Symbols on the Altar Rail Kneeling Cushions
Shields of the Apostles
Shields of the Apostles
Symbols on the Altar Rail Kneeling Cushions
Shields of the Apostles
In the Sanctuary (Altar Area)
ANDREW: Crucified upon an X-shaped cross. This cross also appears on Bishop's chair in Diocesan Coat of Arms because Andrew is Patron Saint of Scotland whose bishops first ordained a bishop for the newly independent American colonies.
JOHN: A pious legend says he drank of a poisoned chalice unharmed.
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In the Sanctuary (Altar Area)
ANDREW: Crucified upon an X-shaped cross. This cross also appears on Bishop's chair in Diocesan Coat of Arms because Andrew is Patron Saint of Scotland whose bishops first ordained a bishop for the newly independent American colonies.
JOHN: A pious legend says he drank of a poisoned chalice unharmed.
PETER: Brother of Andrew who was martyred during Nero's persecution. According to legend Peter was crucified upside down at his own request holding himself to be unworthy to be crucified upright the same as his Lord. Note also the keys of the kingdom from Jesus's statement, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16.19)
JAMES: Brother of John, sometimes referred to as James the Greater, meaning the older of the two James’. Together, Peter, James and
John represent a sort of "inner circle" of
Jesus's.
Shields of the Apostles
Symbols on the Altar Rail Kneeling Cushions
Symbols on the Altar Rail Kneeling Cushions
In the Choir/Chancel Area
Matthew: The three money bags indicate he was a "tax collector" before Jesus's call to follow him.
James the Just: Mentioned only three times in the New Testament, but always listed among the Apostles. Martyred' in Egypt according to legend by being sawed in half- sometimes identified with James, the brother
In the Choir/Chancel Area
Matthew: The three money bags indicate he was a "tax collector" before Jesus's call to follow him.
James the Just: Mentioned only three times in the New Testament, but always listed among the Apostles. Martyred' in Egypt according to legend by being sawed in half- sometimes identified with James, the brother of Jesus.
Thomas: Remembered as a builder of churches in India (note the carpenter’s square); speared to death. The ship indicates that he carried the Gospel to distant shores.
Jude: Tradition holds that Saint Jude preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya. The club represents the means of his death by bludgeoning.
Bartholomew: Tradition says that he was flayed alive, hence the knives.
Simon the Zealot: Title indicates his membership in a strict Jewish sect.
Philip: The two loaves of bread recall his role in the miracle story of the feeding of the 5000.
Matthias: The two loaves of bread recall his role in the miracle story of the feeding of the 5,000. Selected by lot to replace Judas.
Symbols on the Altar Rail Kneeling Cushions
Symbols on the Altar Rail Kneeling Cushions
Symbols on the Altar Rail Kneeling Cushions
Needlepoint Symbols
The design is based on the sequence of Holy Scripture beginning with the creation from the Book of Genesis and concluding with the promised City of God in the final book of the Bible, the Revelation of John the Divine.
• Sun, Moon, Stars -- The Creation Story
• The Apple - The temptation in the Garden of Eden, The fruit
Needlepoint Symbols
The design is based on the sequence of Holy Scripture beginning with the creation from the Book of Genesis and concluding with the promised City of God in the final book of the Bible, the Revelation of John the Divine.
• Sun, Moon, Stars -- The Creation Story
• The Apple - The temptation in the Garden of Eden, The fruit of the forbidden tree
• Noah's Ark and the Rainbow-The Story of Re-creation after the flood, God's renewed promises.
• The Stone Tablets-The Ten Commandments, the Covenant established between God and His people at Sinai following the great Exodus.
•The Ark of the Covenant - Carried by the Hebrews through the wilderness, representing God's presence with God's people on their journey.
• Star of David -Symbol of the Kingdom of Israel, a reminder from whose line the Messiah was to come.
A break occurs at the altar rail gate for a kneeler that reflects our parish's name, Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
• Gabriel: The Angel Messenger - The Annunciation to Mary that she will bear a Holy Child.
• Crib with Chi Rho Symbol, a "monogram" of Jesus - The story of Jesus's birth.
• Epiphany Star-The Visit of the Magi, a reminder that the Christ was born for all people and that God's love is universal.
• Crown of Thorns and the Nails, Passion symbols-The heart of the Gospel Story.
• The Chi Rho with Crown-Easter and Ascension, Jesus the Living Lord of all life.
Seven Candlesticks and Seven Stars-The "Seven Churches" of the Book of Revelation, The City of God yet to be at the end of time.