Trinity Church History
For nearly 160 years, Trinity Episcopal Church has maintained an important presence among Fort Wayne churches. With roots extending to the pioneer era, it grew out of the wave of of evangelistic expansion begun by the Protestant Episcopal Church during the Jacksonian era. Its earliest presence was cautious, but over several decades it grew substantially through the efforts of its clergy and the strong leadership of its laity. It attracted several groups to its doors: settlers to Fort Wayne who had been Episcopalians in New England and New York; English, Irish, and Canadian immigrants who had a tradition of Anglican worship; and newcomers to the faith, who were attracted by its liturgy, its intellectual theology, and the fact that its atmosphere was not overly judgmental.
The present church edifice was finished in 1866 and is an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture, designed by Toledo, Ohio architect Charles Crosby Miller. Its interior includes many historic fixtures from the 19th century and exquisite stained glass windows, most of which are original to the church. The present parish house and Christ the King Chapel were completed in 1956, providing extensive classroom and meeting room space for the congregation, and blending architecturally with the original edifice.
Today, Trinity Church continues to minister to the needs of its congregation, drawing for its membership Episcopalians from the downtown area and the surrounding suburbs. Its ministry of music is widely recognized for its excellence.
Trinity Church houses an extensive archive for the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana. The archive comprises thousands of documents and photographs from the 160-plus years of Trinity's history. It includes correspondence from former rectors, parish newspapers, bulletins, minute books, and sacramental parish registers dating to 1839. The archive also includes papers and records concerning the seven bishops who have serve the diocese of Northern Indiana since its founding in 1899, historical photographs of parishes in the diocese, and copies of parish registers from selected churches. The archive is an important resource for local parish history and genealogy.