PARISH HISTORY

Trinity Church, Collinsville, began with a small nucleus of people who held their first Episcopal Service here in a storeroom on January 29, 1854. These first services were conducted by the Rev. J. H. Betts, of St. John’s Church, Pine Meadow, and his friend, the Rev. Samuel Benedict, then a tutor at Trinity College in Hartford. Rev. Benedict continued the services in Collins Hall (now the Canton Historical Museum) through 1855, after which services were held on a sporadic basis for some time.

In 1869 Rev. E. R. Brown of Christ Church, Unionville, organized a small mission. The Trinity Episcopal Society was formed in 1870 with 9 members. The Rev. Geo F. Breed successfully organized the group and on May 3, 1875, Trinity Collinsville was incorporated under state law with 34 families. It was received into the diocese a month later. (Source: Tribou, Bill (2001). Trinity Episcopal Church, Collinsville, Connecticut. Research paper in Trinity’s records)

In 1885, Susan C. Garrett gave this window in memory of her husband, Rodney S. Garrett, who was born in 1840 and died in 1874. A farmer from New Hartford, Garrett died of small pox at the age of 34.

This window expresses a central theology of the Christian Church. In vibrant reds and blues we see the double triangle of the Trinity. An uninterrupted flow emanating from the central “Deus” invites us to read, “God is the Father is the Son is the Holy Spirit.” The outer sides of the triangle remind us that each person of the Trinity is distinct: “Pater non est Filius, Filius non est Spiritus Sanctus, Spiritus Sactus non est Pater,” providing a visual expression of the triune nature of God.

This window was given in memory of Mary A. Blair by her father, Charles H. Blair. She was born in Canton in 1859 and passed away in 1883 at the age of 23 from “hysteric convulsions,” which was an unfortunate euphemism used by doctors for centuries to explain away a panoply of womens’ ailments and symptoms.

The window represents the Virgin Mary, who is surrounded by flowers. Her head is illuminated by a halo, but more important is the crown, which signifies her as Queen of Heaven.

This window is in memory of the Rev. Samuel Hall, the ninth Rector of Trinity Church. He served the parish from 1885-1886 and the records of the church indicate he dedicated the Font and used it for the first time on Easter Day of 1886.

Rev. Hall was born in Portland, CT on October 14, 1834. He graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, in 1854 and began that same year to study medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. From 1855-1856 he was a catechist at St. Columba’s Mission to the Chippewas, after which he attended Berkeley Divinity School in Middletown, CT. He was rather nomadic, serving in 9 different parishes – including Trinity, before his death in 1888.

This window depicts St. Paul, whose dramatic conversion is related in the Acts of the Apostles. In his left hand he holds a sword, symbolizing his role as “Defender of the Faith,” and a scroll, reminding us of the letters Paul wrote to the early Christian churches.

 Click on the window to see a surviving copy of one of Rev. Hall’s sermons.

With Trinity Church in the background and in its original Maple Avenue location, this picture serves as a record of transportation developments in the early 20th century. Exactly what those men on the utility pole are doing there is lost to history.

In 1964, Trinity was faced with a number of challenges regarding its location and space. The church and parish hall were located on a busy street. Additional space was needed for parking, church school rooms, choir vesting, a new kitchen, and other capital improvements. The response was a major fund drive called “On the Move”, which resulted in the relocation of the church building one mile down the road. At the end of the “On the Move” campaign, the parish voted to construct an addition consisting of six classrooms and the parish hall.

Click on the photo at left to view a video of the church moving. This video is a converted home movie created  in 1964 by the Penfield family when the church building was physically moved from Maple Avenue to its current location on River Road.  Video provided by Walter and Phyllis Lowell. 

Four new stained glass windows were dedicated to the church in the 1970’s. The window at left is one of these. It depicts Jesus encircled by many different children, a reminder that no matter where we are from, we are all God’s children and he loves us, every one. 

In July 1985 the Finney/Bristol family donated and erected a new steeple for the church to replace the original bell tower, which had deteriorated and fallen off about 50 years before. This rebuilt steeple was a replica of the original, based on historical pictures. It was built in honor of Kenneth Bristol, the builder who engineered the church’s move in 1965.

Theresa Bellacosa became Trinity’s Minister of Christian Education in 1999 and stayed for 20 years. She made good things happen through her magnanimous spirit – gently cajoling parents and kids alike – and fostering an understanding and love of God in our young people. Theresa brought the Godly Play curriculum to Trinity as one of the many ways she introduced children to the story of Jesus and the language of the Church.

A teacher of adults as well, Theresa organized Bible study groups and retreats for adults, as well as many outreach projects for all ages.

A successful capital campaign raised $300,000 and allowed for many maintenance tasks to preserve Trinity Church for years to come. Improvements included painting of the church inside and out, reroofing, updating the heating system, and adding new computers and equipment for Trinity’s offices.