On May 31, 1828, Trinity Church was officially organized as a parish. The first of three edifices in Trinity's history was consecrated on September 18, 1833. However, the structure, located on Watertown's Court Street, was destroyed in a fire that swept through the center of the city on May 12, 1849.

The second church (pictured at left without and with the steeple), also located on Court Street was consecreated on January 23, 1851 at a cost of about $16,000. The wooden gothic structure was the design of architect Richard Upjohn of New York City.

Trinity soon began to outgrow its fondly regarded Court Street edifice.

The first of many gifts to Trinity Church from the Flower Family came in November 1886, when Anson R. Flower, a communicant of Trinity, gave land on what was then called Benedict Street and much of the needed funds for construction of new parish house there. Construction on "Trinity House," as it came to be known, was begun on May 16, 1887 and was dedicated on Shrove Tuesday, February 14, 1888 at a cost of $78,500, according to the original contract. Then on January 22, 1889, the rector read to the vestry a communication from Anson Flower and his brother, Roswell P. Flower (former Governor of New York and United States Congressman), offering to build a new church edifice on land adjacent to Trinity House. Benedict Street was by then re-named Trinity Place between Stone and Clinton Streets, and later would become a part of Sherman Street.

Construction on the present Trinity Church building was begun on April 1, 1889, the cornerstone was laid on July 11, 1889, and on Tuesday, September 9, 1890, the new building was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Frederick Dan Huntington, then Bishop of Central New York.

Clinton F. Smith Builders of Middlebury, Vermont was the construction company, and William Pitt Wentworth of Boston was the architect. Until the construction of the second and present parish house in 1912, the church's style closely matched that of the original Trinity House (as seen in photo), for which the same W.P. Wentworth had been the architect. The present parish house, designed by Philadelphia, PA architects Watson and Huckel, served as a social and recreational center for the entire community, and was built with an auditorium, gymnasium, bowling alleys, and swimming pool. The present parish house, a gift of Emma Flower Taylor, in memory of her father, Roswell Flower, and uncle, Anson Flower, underwent major renovation, remodeling, alterations, and redecoration in 1964, at which time the chapel was also redecorated.

In the sanctuary in 1922, the entire chancel area was rebuilt to include the present marble altar, reredos, and altar and chancel rails. Marble tiles were later laid in the aisles, and other redecorations and renovations were carried out. That summer also saw the first of periodic repairs to the church's bell tower.

Two years later, the church received a Skinner pipe organ. It was replaced in 1970 with the present organ, built and installed by Hill, Norman and Beard, Ltd., of London, England.

On December 12, 1976, a service of rededication was held at the completion of a major renovation and repainting of the chancel. The work included extensive improvements in the lighting systems in the nave and chancel. As well, restoration work was again done on the bell tower, and protective panels were placed over the stained glass windows, and a smoke detection and fire alarm system was installed throughout the church and parish house.

Trinity Sunday, May 21, 1978, marked the sesquicentennial of the organization of the parish. Also, on September 9, 1990, a Centennial Celebration was held, marking the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the current church building.

On February 10, 2000, Trinity was awarded a $328,150 matching grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation through the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act. The grant will make possible the restoration of the church's landmark steeple.

On June 30, 2000, Trinity Church and Parish House together were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Highlights

Trinity Parish organized - May 31, 1828
First church erected on Court St. - 1832
Second church on Court St. - 1850
Trinity House built - 1887
Present church building consecrated - 1890
Present Trinity House completed - 1912

Other North Country Highlights

Christ Church, Sackets Harbor organized - 1821
St. Paul's Church, Brownville organized - 1826
St. Paul's Church, Watertown organized - 1867
Church of the Redeemer, Watertown
organized - 1893