CELEBRATING A PLACE OF FAITHFUL SERVICE:
Trinity Episcopal Church, Hartford
by Emily Sajdak
Project Manager, Partners for Sacred Places
SACRED PLACES • AUTUMN/WINTER 2018-19
I
n the spring of 2018, Trinity Episcopal Church in Hartford,
had basically told us there was nothing they could do because of
Connecticut began work on The Campaign for Trinity: Cele-
our financial situation at the time. Partners saw the possibilities
brating a Place of Faithful Service to Hartford after several
as well as the hurdles and suggested a viable—and inspiring—plan
years of careful planning and study. Trinity hopes to raise around
for us to achieve our goals.”
$750,000 over the course of its
campaign to make upgrades to
comply with building codes and
prevent future repair problems.
The church is an important part
of Hartford’s social infrastruc-
ture and is highly committed to
using its buildings and re-
sources to serve the Hartford
community.
Trinity made a bold deci-
sion in 1870 when it decided to
reorganize itself as a Free
Church. This meant the church
would not be funded by money
raised from renting pews, which
was standard for churches at the
time, but instead by an annual
Parishioners gather in front of historic Trinity Episcopal Church.
fundraising canvass of mem-
bers. This decision reflected a
“We’ve been a type of incubator for ministries,” says Hamer.
belief that the church should be financially supported by its
Trinity’s commitment to forming a community from a diverse
members to minister to the wider community.
range of individuals continues, and the church has been a center
This commitment was reaffirmed when the current church
for many programs that directly impact the neighborhood: tutor-
sanctuary was designed and built in the 1890s without pews that
ing at nearby West Middle School; assisting in the settlement of
could be owned or rented. The church also included large meeting
refugees from Bosnia, Cuba, Germany, Liberia, Myanmar, and
halls, offices, and community meeting spaces—a visible expres-
Syria; offering Light and Peace, an after-school program; support-
sion of the church’s intention to be a place of learning and service.
ing the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen; and hosting the Salvation
Trinity began working with Partners for Sacred Places in
Army Senior Center. Presently, the church also hosts Trinity
2015 to complete a campaign feasibility study, which determined
Academy (an independent, tuition-free elementary school serving
that there were a number of steps for the church to take before
1 st through 4 th grade students), and the Choir School of Hartford (a
beginning a campaign, including raising its profile and increas-
youth choir and music education program for elementary
ing its communications with members and non-members. Instead
through high school students).
of being discouraged by these recommendations, the parish re-
The Campaign for Trinity is an important step for Trinity
sponded to each of them and now, several years later, there is en-
Church to continue living out its mission and being “a vibrant
thusiasm about what this campaign will bring about, not only for
part of the city and a place of welcome, hope, and healing,” says
Trinity Church but also for the community.
Rev. Hamer, “for not only the people of this neighborhood but
“The Partners feasibility study report was a big factor in our
also for the people from surrounding communities who view
deciding to work with Partners on our capital campaign,” says
Trinity as a place where they feel God calling them to provide
The Rev. Don Hamer, Rector of Trinity. “We had consulted with
service alongside the wider community.”
another organization about doing a capital campaign, and they
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