History Ministry

Trinity’s History Ministry was formed in December 2011. Comprised of members of Trinity and interested people from the wider community of New Haven, Connecticut, it celebrates the role Trinity’s parish history has played in the city of New Haven, the state of Connecticut, and the United States.  You may contact the group at history@trinitynewhaven.org.  

MISSION STATEMENT

Trinity’s History Ministry seeks to honor and celebrate the history of the community, building, documents, art & artifacts of Trinity Episcopal Church on the Green in New Haven, CT. 

ACTIVITIES

2018 History Ministry visit to the grave of Ithiel Town in Grove Street Cemetery.

The inaugural meeting of our History Ministry took place in 2012.  Comprised of members of Trinity and interested people from the wider community of New Haven, it celebrates the role Trinity’s parish history has played in the city of New Haven, the state of Connecticut, and the United States.

Our intent in preserving for the future our ever-expanding knowledge of our past is underscored by research-based events and exhibitions.  In 2012 and 2013, a group of thirty enthusiasts brought together numerous boxes of archival materials as well as several framed 19thc and 20thc photographs, art and objets d’art that had accumulated over many years in both the parish office and the church building.  

In its origins, History Ministry was anticipating the 200th anniversaries of the laying of the cornerstone of our new church building on the Green (1814) and its consecration upon completion (1816).  As it continued to evolve, History Ministry hosted the 2018 conference of The National Episcopal Historians and Archivists (NEHA), accompanying the conference with an exhibition about Ithiel Town, the architect of our national historic landmark building.  By 2017, cataloguing of art and objects had begun, and special tours of the church building were being offered during New Haven’s International Festival of Art and Ideas.

While the Covid pandemic has slowed our pace, we look forward to regaining momentum in 2023.  Meanwhile, we pique your curiosity with the following partial list of links to research resources we often use.

History Ministry Projects

Links and Resources

  • https://library.yale.edu Yale University’s library system has numerous manuscripts relating to Trinity and its parishioners.

  • https://www.newhavenmuseum.org/?s=trinity+episcopal+church The New Haven Museum has a manuscript collection relating to Trinity Episcopal Church, particularly regarding the sale and immediate manumission of the Trittons in 1825 by a member of Trinity’s parish.

  • http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/trinity_newhaven/ This online compendium has a large selection of links to 18th-20th century documents relating specifically to Trinity on the New Haven Green.

  • http://www.episcopalhistorians.org The National Episcopal Historians & Archivists (NEHA) provides a forum for exchanging ideas, giving mutual support, and defining its role as an archival and historical professional society for those who participate in preserving and exploring the historical dimensions of the Episcopal Church.

  • https://www.episcopalct.org/archives/ The Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut is the official repository for records created by and about the diocese, its churches, and individual Episcopalians.

  • https://hsec.us The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church (HSEC) focuses on Anglican church history across the globe.

  • http://anglican.org/sitemap.html This site helps clarify the global extent of the Anglican Communion to which the Episcopal Church belongs.