Trinity Episcopal Church (Muscatine, Iowa) facts for kids
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Trinity Episcopal Church
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U.S. Historic district
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 411 E. 2nd St. Muscatine, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1851-1854 |
| Architect | Frank Will |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Downtown Commercial Historic District (ID06000423) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000803 |
| Added to NRHP | October 29, 1974 |
Trinity Episcopal Church is a historic church in Muscatine, Iowa, USA. It belongs to the Episcopal Church in Iowa. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's an important building worth protecting. In 2006, it also became part of the Downtown Commercial Historic District.
Contents
The Story of Trinity Episcopal Church
How the Church Started in Muscatine
The Episcopal Church in Muscatine began in 1839. That year, Matthew Matthews and his family arrived in the town, which was then called Bloomington. Bishop Jackson Kemper, a missionary bishop, visited them. The church group was officially formed during his visit. This was the very first Episcopal church group organized in Iowa.
A year later, Bishop Kemper reported that the church had seven members. They also had timber ready to build a church. The bishop even gave $100 to help with the building costs.
The first church building was made of wood. It was about 50 feet long and 22 feet wide. It had eight windows and a small room for the priest. When Trinity Church wasn't using the building, the Presbyterian Congregation held their services there. A bell on the building was used by both churches.
The Freemasons added a second floor to the building. They used that part of the building. Bishop Kemper did not like the Masons being in the church. Because of this, he refused to officially bless the church. This was the first church of any kind built in Muscatine County. It was also the first Episcopal Church in Iowa.
At first, the church did not have its own full-time priest, called a rector. The Rev. Zachariah Goldsmith from Trinity Church in Davenport visited to lead services. On June 28, 1842, the church group was reorganized. Fourteen people attended that meeting. On May 12, 1843, the Rev. Samuel Sherwell became the priest in charge.
Building the Present Church
The Rev. John B. Calhoun became the rector of Trinity in 1850. He asked church members to donate money for a new church building. In the spring of 1851, sixteen members promised $1,250. He then traveled east to collect more donations. He gathered another $1,298.50 from 168 different people.
Frank Will, an architect from New York City, was chosen to design the new church. The new church was built on the same spot as the old one. The basement and foundation were built in the fall of 1851. The first stone was laid on November 11. It took three years to build the church. It is made of sandstone and built in the Gothic Revival style.
Bishop Kemper came to Muscatine to officially bless the new church. This happened on May 25, 1854. He was helped by the Rev. John Ufford. The building was made larger in 1855. At that time, it was given its cross-shaped design. A bell was put in the bell tower in 1856.
The beautiful oak furniture inside the church was added in 1887. This included the altar, pulpit, lectern, choir seats, and pews. The stained glass windows in the side sections were also added then. The large "Ascension" window at the end of the main hall was installed in 1896.
The Diocese of Iowa
The Diocese of Iowa was formed by Bishop Kemper in 1853. He invited priests and representatives from churches across the state. They met at Trinity Church in Muscatine on August 17. Since the bishop was not there, the Rev. Alfred Louderbeck was chosen to lead the meeting.
At this meeting, they created the rules for the new diocese. They also made plans to choose a bishop. On October 18, 1854, the Rev. Henry Washington Lee was chosen as bishop. This election happened at Trinity Church in Davenport.
Storm Damage
On August 9, 2010, lightning struck the church during a thunderstorm. This caused a lot of damage to the bell tower on the front of the church. An iron cross on top of the tower was also damaged.
