Trinity Episcopal Church (Houston) facts for kids
Trinity Church is a historic church located in Midtown Houston, Texas. It is a parish church within the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, which is a part of the worldwide Anglican Christian faith.
Contents
History
How Trinity Church Started
Trinity Church began in 1893. It started as a "mission" from Christ Church, another church in Houston. At that time, the area was called "Fairground Addition." Today, we know it as Midtown. Trinity Church is the second-oldest Episcopal church in Houston.
Growth and Change
Trinity Church was once one of the largest churches in the Episcopal Church. Famous people like Walter Cronkite, a well-known news reporter, and Denton Cooley, a famous heart surgeon, were members. In the 1950s and 1960s, many members moved to the suburbs. This caused the church's membership to become much smaller. However, since the 2000s, more and more people have joined the church.
Leaders of the Church
Many leaders from Trinity Church have gone on to become important figures. Five of its "rectors" (the main priest of a church) later became "bishops" (senior leaders) in the Episcopal Church. Another rector became a "dean" (a leader) of a large church called a cathedral. The Reverend Hannah E. Atkins became the fifteenth rector of Trinity Church in September 2007.
Helping the Community
In 1990, Trinity Church helped start the Lord of the Streets Mission. This mission helps people experiencing homelessness in Houston. Even though it is no longer run by Trinity Church, the Lord of the Streets still holds its services at the church building.
The Church Building
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Trinity Church
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Trinity Church during Houston's 2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm
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| Built | 1919 |
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| Architect | Cram and Ferguson |
| Architectural style | Gothic revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83004481 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 26, 1983 |
Design and Features
The church building you see today was built in 1919. It is designed in a style called "neo-Gothic" or Gothic Revival. This means it looks like the grand churches built in Europe many centuries ago. The famous architectural company, Cram and Ferguson, designed it. They also designed buildings at Rice University and the Julia Ideson Building for the Houston Public Library.
Inside the Church
The Morrow Chapel inside the church was updated in 2002. It has beautiful stained glass windows, amazing artwork, and special church furnishings. These pieces were created by talented artists like Kim Clark Renteria, Kermit Oliver, Troy Woods, Shazia Sikander, and Selven O’Keef Jarmon. The church also has a very old "pipe organ" from 1918, which was recently fixed up.
At the Church
Activities and Events
Trinity Church offers many activities for people of all ages. There are different ways to grow spiritually and many programs to help others in the community. The church also hosts special events throughout the year. For example, they have an annual Animal Blessing in the fall. This is a fun event where people bring their pets to be blessed. In the winter, they hold a Jazz Festival.
Music and Worship
Sometimes, there are Sunday-evening concerts at Trinity Church. The Trinity Choir also performs special services. These include "Choral Evensong" and "sung Compline," which are traditional evening prayers with music. The church also offers worship services in the Taizé style, which is known for its simple, meditative songs.
See also
