Trinity Church was founded in 1747 making it one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Massachusetts. The church, located in Bridgewater, serves all the surrounding communities. The Trinity parish family is a diverse group covering a wide range of ages and interests. The common bond that keeps the parish together is the dedication each member feels toward serving God, fellow parishioners, and community through worship services and other activities.

Historical Highlights of Trinity

The history of Trinity Church is long and includes periods of growth and harmony as well as discord and near disaster.

The first church was established in 1748 in the vicinity of what is now 529 Main Street, through the efforts of Samuel Edson who donated 14 acres of land to the English "Society of Propagation of the Faith in Foreign Parts." The first church was begun in 1748. Occasional services were held by the clergy who ministered to several area churches.

History of the Present Day Church Structure

The architect for the present church was Stephan Earle of Worcester. The style is similar to English country churches and the angled bell tower is an unusual feature. The church of 1836 was dismantled and its components including the foundation stones, doorsteps, lumber, and bell were incorporated into the present building. The cornerstone which is in the northeast corner contains a pipe with pictures of the first two churches, a history, and a Diocesan newsletter.

The church was consecrated on Tuesday September 23, 1884 by the Right Reverend Benjamin Paddock with 19 area clergy in attendance. The choir was made up of volunteers from the Orthodox, Swedenborgian, and Unitarian choirs as well as our own parishioners. Although the day was chilly and rainy the church was filled with well wishers and parishioners. A social hour and luncheon was held at the home of Reverend Milton Peck, 13 Summer Street, following the service.

Church Building and Material Costs in 1884

Expenses:	Amount
Money paid for land:	$1250.00
Carpenters bill:	$4263.00
Foundation:	$665.68
Furnace:	$194.55
Chancel Furniture:	$125.00
Carpets and Cushions:	$464.70
Architect:	$220.30
Glass, Painting, and Sundries:	$1052.61
Total:	$8236.12

The organ, font, reredos, alter embroidery and decorations, bookrest, alms basin, Bible and Prayer book, Alter Cross, and silver communion service were gifts valued at $2850.00.
The cost of the church not including the bell, pews, and lumber from the old church was $11,086.12.
The window above the Alter was given by the children of St. Thomas Church of Taunton at a cost of $150.00 made by Donald McDonald.
The organ which has since been replaced was a gift valued at $1200.00.
The Reredos was a gift from St. Pauls of Brookline and was carved of caen stone and Tennessee marble. The movers only charged $7.50 to cart the reredos and bell.
The pews came from the old church.
The Alter, Credence, prayer desk, and lectern were the gift of a parishner.
The Font and its cover, which cost $157.00, was a gift from Mr. Barry of Boston in memory of his wife Ellen Fobes.
The Alter Cross was a gift that cost $45.00.
The Alter bookrest cost $17.00. Today it would cost several hundred if you could find a duplicate.
The Alms basin was the work and a gift of Miss Florence Bailey.
The Chalice and Paten of solid silver and gold were a gift from a former parishioner of the Reverend Milton Peck. The story I have been told about the CHalice and Paten is that the women of the parish gave silver thimbles, teaspoons, etc., which were melted down to make the Chalice and Paten now in use.
The glass in the rose window is on loan to the Parish by Mr. Donald McDonald and is to be returned to him when the window is changed.
In the words of the Reverend Milton Peck, "The difficulties and trials in this parish are great and peculiar and they do not lessen entirely as the work goes on."

Trinity Episcopal Church Timeline

Years	Events
1783-1804	The Reverend Wheeler served the areas of Taunton, Marshfield, Scituate, and Bridgewater. He kept the records when he left the area.
1804-1810	The "glebe" land was rented out and the annual Easter meeting was held but there were no services and no records exist.
1811	The church was incorporated as Trinity Church with the Protestant Episcopal Church, Diocese of Massachusetts.
1811-1812	Reverend Montague served. Records were kept.
1813	Wardens authorized the transfer of "glebe lands" to trustees of donations. Annuity was to be given to the parish.
1815	The act of incorporation was performed. Regular officers were chosen. The church was repaired.
1816	John Edson paid off the debt balance. Bishop Griswald consecrated the church.
1820-1831	Trinity Church parish family currently had 30 families. (?)16 communicants irregular services by lay readers and traveling clergy.
1831-1835	Reverend Mathias Munro served and was the first settled clergyman. He is buried in the old Episcopal cemetery on Main Street.
1836	Reverend William Warland is called to Trinity Church. The old church is sold for $220. The cornerstone of new (2nd) Trinity Church is laid in the area of 507 Main Street on the opposite side of the burying ground. Reverend Warland was a controversial figure and did not get along with the Wardens, who were members of the Edson family.
1838	Reverend Henry Blackaller called to Trinity Church for a salary of $500/year. The first mention of church school was found in records.
1839	The church bell was cast in East Medway.
1843	Reverend Henry Blackaller resigned as parish was not able to pay him.
1844-1845	Reverend Newton Marble also resigned due to lack of funding.
1848	Wardens voted to close church to any ministrations of Reverend William Warland. The church was to be used only by the discretion of the wardens.
1849	Reverend Jonathan Coe called. The church opened up to his use and the use of any clergy other than Reverend William Warland. There are two printed pamphlets, one written by Reverend Warland and the other by John Edson both to the attention of the bishop. The Reverend Warland pamphlet and John Edson pamphlet clarify the situation somewhat.
1850-1865	There was great controversy over who was the actual rector and whether Trinity Church is a Parish or Mission.
1865	John Edson died in the fall of this year but the problems continued.
1868	Reverend William Warland returned as rector at a yearly salary of $1000 and remained until 1870.
1871-1875	Reverend B. R. Gifford served.
1875	Reverend Joseph Jenks served.
1882	Bishop Paddock closes church to all services. The town hall was to be used until a new church could be built. Reverend Milton Peck becomes rector. Land at the corner of Main Street and Pearl Street was purchased from a Revere family for $1250. In this year ground was broken for the new church and an architect was acquired.
1884	The new church was consecrated by Bishop Paddock.
1885-1887	Reverend Langdon Ward served.
1887-1893	Reverend J. J. Cressey served.
1893-1896	Reverend Frederick Edwards. Trinity church rectory was built. Mission started in East Bridgewater.
1897-1898	Reverend S. S. Marquis served.
1899-1900	Reverend George Smythe served and later resigned to become a professor at Kenyon College.
1901-1905	Reverend J. R. Jenkins served.
1903	Electric lights and wiring for 10 fixtures were priced at $112.50.
1905	Reverend J. R. Jenkins left Trinity Church to become a missionary out west.
1905-1908	Reverend W. R. Scarritt served. Plans for the vested choir were discussed.
1908-1917	Reverend J. Eames served.
1909	Electric lights installed in chancel.
1912	Reverend Eames requested 50 cents/week pay increase.
1916	50 prayer books and 50 hymnals were ordered for $22.50. The organ was hand pumped.
1917	Reverend Eames resigned to serve at a parish in Fall River. One hundred communicants were added to the rolls during his 9 years of service. Electric lights were installed in the church rectory.
1918	Reverend J. A. Thompson joined Trinity as rector. The present organ was given by the McNeeland family. Battleship linoleum was installed in the church.
1920	The women of Trinity church had saved up almost $2000 in the parish house fund. There was the first mention of the Service of Lights.
1921	The parish hall construction was started. The first ever meeting in Guild room was attended.
1922	The parish hall was completed. The final cost was $2900. The 175th Anniversary Banquet was held in the hall.
1923	Continuous problems with water in the lower hall occurred.
1926	Revered Kearons joined Trinity as rector.
1928	The pulpit was lowered.
1929	The church fair was not held this year.
1930	Reverend Kearons left Trinity. The Board of Health complains of the lack of a town sewer connection for the rectory. Vestry agrees to pay $2000 for a rector "if we have to".
1932	Reverend George Chiera is called. The mortgage on the parish hall was paid off and the downstairs dining hall was ready for use.
1933	The first mention of ecumenical, 3 hour Good Friday service was recorded. The McNeeland host a garden party as a fund raiser where 16 tables of bridge, candy, and plants were sold.
1936	The vestry complains to the selectmen of the noise caused by the "deplorable conditions of Main Street".
1938	White china was purchased
1939	Reverend David Hunter is called to serve as rector.
1940	77 Hymnals were purchased for $100. The men painted the church. The chancel was carpeted.
1941	Reverend H. E. Goll was called to serve as rector. The Steeple cross was made and erected.
1944	Reverend George Keirstead was called to serve as rector. Reverend Keirstead and Reverend Gall were ordained while serving here. Reverend Goll was married at Trinity Church. The honor role was dedicated.
1946	The Southeastern District Conference was held at Trinity Church. Lunch was served to 125 people.
1951	Reverend Barrow resigned and was designated Rector Emeritus. He continued as supply for many years and is fondly remembered.
1953	Trinity was close to the point of closing the church if a rector could not be found. Reverend Clinton Blake came to the rescue. During his years of service many improvements were made. The alter step was extended and new kneelers were installed. The font was piped and the chancel and sanctuary were carpeted.
1957	Reverend Norman Brady was called to serve. He used incense on occasion much to the distress of some parishioners.
1961	Reverend Freedom Wentworth was called to serve. Many longtime parishioners left Trinity Church as the emphasis of parish life had changed drastically.
1962-1976	Reverend Freedom Wentworth started a seminary in the old rectory and purchased a new house on Summer Street. He began ordaining his own clergy and began investigating the possibility of joining with marginal orthodox groups.
1977	A majority of the people attending Trinity Church voted to leave the Episcopal Church. A group of people, some of the former members of Trinity, some new, with the help of Bishop Coburn, began meeting in the Congregational church, later moving to the Methodist Church. The Reverend Mark Dyer, then became Bishop of Pennsylvania, ministered to the small group. The Reverend Louis Pitt was sent to be the Priest in charge. The congregation grew and flourished under his care.
1980	Reverend Wentworth was ordained a Bishop in an obscure branch of orthodoxy under what was proved later to be fraudulent circumstances. This caused a rift in the group that originally left Trinity Church and Wentworth was forced to create his own denomination. He met with a remnant group in his house which he called a cathedral. He died suddenly not long after. Reverend Kenneth Ornell called as half-time rector shared with St. John's of Sharon in a yoked ministry.
1981	The Trinity Church building use was regained and shared with the remnant of the Wentworth group.
1982	The other group left. The church was insulated and re-roofed. The roof crosses were replaced. Reverend Ornell left Trinity Church for a parish in Pennsylvania. Reverend Bruce Moncrieff was called to be interim. Services were also conducted by Reverend Robert Merry and Reverend Crawford Coombes.
1983	Reverend William R. Krogstand was called to serve as rector. The rectory was sold.
1984	The parish celebrated the 100th anniversary of the church building and 200th anniversary of the Diocese of Massachusetts.
1989	The church interior was refurbished. The linoleum of 1918 was replaced with modern plastic tile. Carpets were placed done the center aisles. Hardwood flooring was installed in the chancel and choir. Hardwood flooring extended to the alter step and an oriental runner was added. The interior was painted. And the entrances were carpeted with cocoa matting.
1991	A stage was partitioned and carpeted for use as a nursery. A new gas furnace was purchased for the parish hall with 4-zone heating. Smoke, fire and motion detector alarms were installed in the church. Light fixtures with fans were added to the parish hall.
1992	The parish hall was re-roofed and insulated. The lower hall ceiling was replaced. The final phase of the stained glass window was installed. The entire complement of stained glass windows are memorials to past and present parish families.
1993	The Pearl Street door was replaced. Three huge spruce trees were removed.
1994	Reverend Krogstad retired. The parish was served by Reverend John Keggi and Reverend John Conn as interims.
1996	Reverend E. Bradlee Hultman became rector of Trinity with the prospect of renewal and growth into the 21st century.
1999	In 1999 Christopher Duerden took on the project in the church cemetery of cleaning/clearing up a family plot area. This was done as his service project while working toward his Eagle Scout Badge.
2000	Rev. E. Bradlee Hultman leaves to take a full time position at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Hanover, MA. Brad’s last service at Trinity was July 30. Rev. Patricia R. Colenback becomes interim pastor from Sept. 3 – Oct. 15. Rev. William D. Underhill becomes interim pastor from Oct. 22 – Apr. 14, 2002.
2002	Rev. Nathaniel S. T. Reece becomes the 35th Rector. He presides over his first service on April 21 and the official installation ceremony is on Sept. 26. With the completion of the rebuilding of the yoke, the bell is now in working order and was rededicated on September 15, 2002. With the completion of repairs and renovations to the “Rose” window at the back of the church, there was a rededication ceremony on September 22, 2002.
2004	The handicap bathroom was completed in 2004. A handicap ramp was constructed and Bishop Gayle Harris led a dedication ceremony on October 12, 2004.
2005	The church organ, which dates back to 1918, underwent stage 1 of a 3-stage project. This phase entailed replacing, installing, rebuilding, renovating, and refinishing many parts of the organ. This work was done in the summer of 2005. A new church roof was put on in September of 2005. In the summer of 2005, Boy Scout Keith Stetson, worked along side Tom Dunlevy in the church cemetery in hopes of achieving the rank of Star.
2006	The “dog house” was torn down in 2005 and was replaced with a new “bulkhead” in the fall of 2006. In the fall of 2006, Edward Bajercius, completed his project, in hopes of achieving his Eagle Scout Badge. The work done was using an area of land to create a memorial garden with a bench and placing a plaque in memory of Tom Dunlevy, a faithful caregiver to the Trinity Cemetery. On November 19, 2006, a plaque in memory of Tom Dunlevy was dedicated at the church cemetery on Main Street, Bridgewater.