Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of the Holy Trinity
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(2024)
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 19th and Walnut Sts. facing Rittenhouse Sq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1857 |
| Architect | John Notman George Hewitt |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001660 |
| Added to NRHP | February 6, 1973 |
The Church of the Holy Trinity is an Episcopal church located on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. The first church service in this building happened on March 27, 1859. A Scottish architect named John Notman designed the church. The tall corner tower was added later in 1867. It was designed by George W. Hewitt.
This church has a simpler "low church" style. This is different from the more decorated "high church" or Anglo-Catholic style. For example, Notman also designed St. Mark's Episcopal Church nearby, which has a fancier style.
Contents
A Famous Rector and a Christmas Song
The church's rector (which is like the main pastor) from 1862 to 1869 was Phillips Brooks. He is famous for writing the words to the well-known Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
Brooks was known for his lively sermons and his strong opposition to slavery. On April 23, 1865, he gave a special speech in the church. This speech honored Abraham Lincoln after the U.S. President was assassinated on April 14. Many people read this speech because it was printed and shared widely.
After the American Civil War ended, Brooks took a break from the church. He traveled to Europe, Israel, and Palestine. His visit to Bethlehem gave him the idea for a poem. He wrote this poem for the children in his Sunday School class. For Christmas in 1868, the church's organist, Louis Redner, put music to Brooks' poem. This is how "O Little Town of Bethlehem" was created!
In 1869, Phillips Brooks became the rector of Trinity Church, Boston. He helped plan and build Trinity's new church building in Boston. This happened after the original church was destroyed in a big fire in 1872.
Another important rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity was Reverend Floyd W. Tomkins. He served the church from 1899 until he passed away in 1932.
Beautiful Stained-Glass Windows
The Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia is also known for its many beautiful stained-glass windows. Five of these windows were made by the famous artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. There is also one window made by the artist Luc-Olivier Merson.
The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it is recognized as an important historical building.
Church Leaders
Vestry Members
The church has a group of leaders called the vestry. This group is made up of 12 members from the church community. They help manage the church's activities.
Past Rectors
Here is a list of the people who have served as the main pastor (rector) of the Church of the Holy Trinity:
- Alexander Hamilton Vinton (1858-1861)
- Phillips Brooks (1862-1869)
- Thomas Augustus Jaggar (1870-1875)
- William Neilson McVickar (1876-1898)
- Floyd Williams Tomkins (1899-1932)
- Howard Robert Weir (1933-1937)
- Edgar Frank Salmon (1938-1951)
- Harry S. Longley (1951-1961)
- Cuthbert Pratt (1961-1979)
- Norman S. Kerr (1980-1983)
- John Arthur Smart (-1996)
- Terence Chaus Roper (1999-)
- Alan James Robert Neale (2004-2015)
- John Gardner and Rachel Wenner Gardner (co-rectors)
