The Anglican Congregation at Trinity dates back over 270 years. The Reverend Robert Kilpatrick established the first mission at Trinity in 1729, and it is generally thought that the first church was built at that time. On May 23rd, 1820 the pillars of a new church were laid. This church, similar in design to many English churches of the time, had an upstairs gallery and could seat over 600 people.
The present church was built in 1892. It was designed by American architect Stephen C. Earle and built by master builder Caleb Marshall. Two other churches of the same design are at Digby and Windsor, Nova Scotia. The church serves as the mother church of the Parish of Trinity.
published
Partial
Draft
Supplied title based on provenance
Photographs, 20" x 24" or smaller
The fonds contains records of the administration of the church of St. Paul's from 1874-1969, and includes the minutes of meetings of vestry, records of committees and boards, financial records, correspondence and invoices, vestry registers, clergy's records, some legal documents re the acquisition of land, and seating plans for both the old and the new church. Other records include photographs of the present and the former church, as well as portraits of many of the rectors of the parish; a full set of plans for the building of the church by architect Stephen J. Earle; a painting by J. S. Hayward of the Anglican Cathedral of St. John's; and visitors' books.
The records have been organized in 11 series according to form and function; Series 1: Minutes of Vestry, 1874-1958; Series 2: Committees and Boards, 1892-1945; Series 3: Financial Records, 1879-1964; Series 4: Correspondence, 1905-1960; Series 5: Vestry Registers, 1913-1921; Series 6: Clergy's Records, 1881-1969; Series 7: Legal documents, 1895; Series 8: Sunday School, 1904-1913; Series 9: Visitors' Books; Series 10: Plans and blueprints, [1892 - 1980]; Series 11: Photographs.
The majority of the records were donated by the Rector of the Parish of Trinity, the Rev. G. Colbourne, July 2000. The remainder were located in the Church tower. They were subsequently transferred to the archives.
The records were kept and maintained in the rectory of the parish of Trinity, and in St. Paul's Church.
The church plans, photographs and paintings will not be available until they have received conservation treatment.
Some of the material in this fonds may be protected by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance when appropriate.
No finding aid available.
published
The correspondence consists mainly of invoices and letters relating to supplies for the maintenance of the church.
With the exception of one file, this material was found in the Church tower of St. Paul's in 2000. It was brought to the Trinity Historical Society for the Archives.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
The vestry registers record the services held at the church, numbers attending, topic of the sermon, visiting clergy and other remarks.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
The vestry committee is the body that makes decisions regarding the church building and the congregation. Members of the committee include the church wardens, members of vestry and the rector. The minutes of vestry record discussions and decisions relating to the maintenance of the church, new buildings and additions, and matters concerning the congregation.
published
The series consists of the minutes of vestry, one photocopied volume, (1874-1883) and 9 original volumes.
The photocopied volume of minutes was given to Clarence Dewling by Newton Morgan of Manuels.
The original volume is in the Diocesan Archives in St. John's.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
The series consists of a minister's work book and diary for 1881; a book containing sermons and notes from the scriptures, 1903; some service schedules, printed hymns and a photocopy of a document concerning St. Paul's Church dated 1757.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
The series consists of minutes of meetings of the various committees established by the members of the congregation to carry out specific projects. The committees are as follows: Building Committee, 1892-1893; Parish Hall Building Committee, 1901-1902; Cemetery Board, 1908-1915; Lighting and Memorial Committee, 1945.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
The series consists of photographs and paintings that were on display in the church. Seventeen of the photographs are of rectors past and present, three images are of the old and the new church. There is an ink and wash drawing of the old church and a painting of the Anglican Cathedral in St. John's by J. W. Hayward.
The items in this series are restricted pending conservation.
No finding aid available.
published
The series includes all the records having to do with financial matters and consists of: accounts, 1912-1964; weekly offerings, 1915-1957; rector's stipend, 1945-1958; cemetery tax, 1891-1957; labour and cash given for building St. Paul's parsonage stable, 1906; Synod fund, 1879; an account of the Jubilee fund, 1944-1945.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
An unsigned Bill of Sale drawn up re the sale of Garland land to the Diocesan Synod, 1895.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
The series includes a set of architectural drawings (12 pieces) for the building of the 1892 church by architect Stephen J. Earle; a diagram of the Church of England cemetery at Trinity, nd; two blueprints, entitled Trinity Parish Hall Alterations: Floor Plans, Sept. 1980; and Building Sections, Oct. 1980; Plot plan and plan of the new Church of England cemetery at Trinity, nd; seating plan of the old church, 1878, and the new church, 1894 (2) and 1921; a copy of the "Rough Plan" showing the position of Garland's Paddock near the Church, Trinity, 1895, and a plan of the Garlands estate at Trinity.
Access is restricted on the Stephen J. Earle architectural drawings.
No finding aid available.
published
A roll book of those attending Sunday School, 1904-1913 and published material from the American Humane Education Society.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.
published
The visitor's books are kept to record non-parishioners visiting the church both for interest and to attend church service.
No restrictions
No finding aid available.