History

Trinity Church History

Beginning in 1845 the congregation worshiped in rented space in several locations around downtown Mobile in the neighborhood, presently known as DeTonti Square.

Few records of the early church exist, except for the Parish Register recording baptisms, confirmations, communicants, marriages and deaths. These early records reflect a small, but active congregation.
For a more detailed history of Trinity please read S. Albert Kennington's From the Days of Small Things available on Amazon.

History Highlights

1845 In July the Reverend R.M. Miller began his duties as Trinity's first Rector
1847 The new church filed articles of association with the Diocese of Alabama as Trinity Parish
1848 The Reverend J.H. Massey accepted the call to be the second Rector
1854 A Gothic Revival style church building was erected at the northwest corner of Jackson and St. Anthony Streets in downtown Mobile
1864 The Church of the Good Shepherd was established with the assistance of Trinity
1867 Bishop Richard Wilmer consecrated the Trinity church building
1880's The sacristy, spire and porch were constructed
1896 The Rose Window was installed as a gift from the Sunday School
1916 The Robinson Memorial Parish House was constructed on State Street in downtown Mobile
1929 After much prayer, discussion and a vote, it was decided to relocate the Church property westward to 1900 Dauphin Street
1932 A Parish House was constructed on Dauphin Street and was known as Trinity Junior Parish House to distinguish it from the Robinson Memorial Parish House
1945 The church building was taken down and moved brick by brick to Dauphin Street
1946 The first service was held at the new location with the Rector Herbert Schroeter celebrating
1950 Bishop C.C.C. J. Carpenter consecrated the relocated Trinity building
1976 The Memory Garden at the west side of the church was dedicated to "All women who served the church since its founding in 1845"
1979 September 12th Fredric, a category 4 hurricane, struck Mobile and caused extensive damage to Trinity's main building and Parish House
1998 The Memory Garden was restored and rededicated
2008 The Rose Window was reinstalled in June after 6 months of repair and restoration
2010 A capital campaign was undertaken to finance renovation of the church property
2011 The restored church was rededicated
2012 Christmas night, a tornado struck, severely damaging the church. Services were relocated to All Saints Episcopal Church as reconstruction commenced
2013 Easter Sunday, Services returned to the Parish Hall
2014 August 24th, the reconstructed and restored church was reentered and rededicated
2017 An anonymous donor retired the remaining capital campaign an reconstruction debt of approximately $150,000

Trinity's Rectors

B.M. Miller 1845 - 1847
Joshua Albert Massey 1848 - 1879
James Steptoe Johnston, Jr. 1880 - 1888
James Leach Lancaster 1888 - 1891
Clarence Croft Leman 1892 - 1894
Douglas C.Peabody 1894 - 1901
Richard Edmonds Bennett 1901 - 1911
Albert Glenn Richards 1912 - 1917
Edwin Gustavus Hunter 1917
Vernon Cochrane McMaster 1917 - 1925
Herbert Fredrick Schroeter 1925 - 1953
John Doyle Prince, Jr. 1953 - 1954
David Holmes Irving, Jr. 1954 - 1964
Benjamin Meginniss III 1965 - 1985
Spergeon Albert Kennington 1985 - 2007
David A. Powers (Interim) 2007 - 2008
Matthew T.L. Corkern 2008 - 2011
Bailey Norman 2012 -