Trinity Episcopal Church (Kirksville, Missouri) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Trinity Episcopal Church
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 124 N Mulanix St., Kirksville, Missouri |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Dunbar, Irwin; Eggert and Russell |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/craftsman, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07001338 |
| Added to NRHP | January 2, 2008 |
Trinity Episcopal Church is a historic church building located in Kirksville, Missouri. It's a special place that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in January 2008. This means it's an important historical site! The church building is also the second-oldest in Kirksville that has been used by the same church group without stopping.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
The Trinity Episcopal Church group has been a part of the Kirksville community since 1870. That's when it first started as a small outreach mission.
Building the First Church
The very first church building was made of wood. It was built in 1870 right where the current church stands today. This wooden church served the community until 1916.
In 1907, a fire caused a lot of damage to the old building. Even after repairs, it was clear the wooden church wouldn't last much longer. So, in October 1915, the church group asked the Episcopal Diocese for help. They were able to get money to build a new church.
Designing the New Church Building
A well-known local architect named Irwin Dunbar was chosen to design the new building. He was also a member of the church! In 1916, the old wooden church was taken down to make space for the new one.
Construction on the new church began in the spring of 1917. A local company called Eggert & Russel was chosen to build it. The first stone, called the cornerstone, was placed on May 14, 1917. The building was finished quickly, and the new church was officially opened on November 7, 1917. The whole project cost $11,555, with the Diocese contributing $5,500.
Church Style and Features
The new church was built in a mix of styles. These included Bungalow/Craftsman and Gothic Revival. It measures about 37 feet wide and 67 feet long.
Because of the 1907 fire, the church group decided to use brick instead of wood. Brick cost a little more, but it was much safer. The building isn't perfectly even on both sides and sits on a raised basement.
Inside, Irwin Dunbar added some unique features. These showed his engineering background, along with the mixed architectural styles. The most noticeable feature is the open beam ceiling in the main worship area, called the nave. These beams are made of black walnut wood. They support the heavy English tile roof without needing big columns in the way. Black walnut wood was also used for trim, window frames, and other details throughout the church.
Trinity Church Today
The main worship area, called the sanctuary, looks very much like it did when it was first built. In 1998, a flat part of the roof was changed to a sloped one. Other than updates to electricity, plumbing, and heating/cooling systems, the inside is mostly the same.
In 2015, a project was completed to make the church easier for everyone to access. This project, designed by Chinn, Rother, and Associates, added a new section. It includes a lift, a wider entrance, and new restrooms. As part of this work, one of the original stained glass windows was moved from the sanctuary to the new addition.
The Wicks Pipe Organ
The church has a beautiful pipe organ. It was built in 1967 by the Wicks Organ Company. Later, an extra set of pipes called a Dulzian rank was added. This organ uses air pressure and electricity to make its sounds. Its pipes are visible at the front of the room. The organ was updated in 2015 by Quimby Pipe Organs.
