Trinity Church (Elmira, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Trinity Church
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Elmira, New York |
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| Built | 1855 |
| Architect | Dudley, Henry; et al. |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07001122 |
| Added to NRHP | October 31, 2007 |
Trinity Church in Elmira, New York, has a long and interesting history! It started as a church way back in 1833. For many years, it was a special place for people to gather and worship. The building you see today, with its cool Gothic Revival style, was built between 1855 and 1858. It's so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. But guess what? In 2024, this historic church got a brand new life! It was turned into a fun sports complex called Empire Sports of the Southern Tier.
Contents
A Look Back: Trinity Church's Story
How Trinity Church Began
The very first time an Episcopal Church service was held in Elmira was on May 16, 1832. A bishop named Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk led this service. More services happened in 1833, and on June 12, 1833, Trinity Church was officially started as a "parish," which is like a local church community.
The first services were held in a schoolhouse. The church's first leader, Reverend Thomas Clark, said that the room was often full. He believed that if they had their own church building, even more people would come.
Building the First Church
As more people joined, Trinity Church needed a bigger place. Even though they didn't have much money, everyone worked together. They gave their time, energy, and building materials. A new church building was finished in December 1836. It was officially opened and blessed on August 27, 1837, by Bishop Onderdonk.
The Current Church Building
The beautiful building that stands today at Church and Main Streets was designed by an architect named Henry C. Dudley. The first stone for this new church was laid on July 26, 1855. The very first service in this new building happened on July 4, 1858. The church building was fully blessed on April 5, 1866, after all the building costs were paid off.
The Arnot Memorial Chapel
Later, a special part of the church called the Arnot Memorial Chapel was added. Its first stone was laid in 1880. This chapel was built with gifts from Mariana Tuttle Arnot-Ogden. She wanted it to be a memory for her parents, sister, and husband. The chapel was officially opened on November 28, 1882. It has a beautiful stained glass window designed by Donald MacDonald that honors the four people the chapel remembers.
Trinity Church as a Sports Complex
After being a church for many years, Trinity Church closed its doors in September 2020. It stayed empty until 2023, when a local business owner bought it. He decided to turn the historic building into a sports complex!
This new complex is called Empire Sports of the Southern Tier. Inside the old church, you can now find a field turf area, batting cages, basketball hoops, and even cornhole games. The new owner, Ryan McFall, has promised to take good care of the church's original features. This includes keeping the amazing stained glass windows, the large pipe organs, and the strong brick structure. It's a cool way to give an old building a new purpose!
