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Our History
Trinity Episcopal Church
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
The first recorded Episcopal service held in Wauwatosa occurred on March 11, 1844 led by
Bishop Jackson Kemper, first bishop of the Diocese of Wisconsin. In 1873 St. John's Episcopal Mission was
formed and held services in a converted schoolhouse at Root Common near the village. The mission purchased
three and one-half acres of land from J. W. Warren, the property now occupied by Trinity. St. John's was
dissolved in 1883.
Trinity Church was founded on April 4, 1887 with the Rev. Dr. Edward Purdin Wright as its first rector.
Shortly thereafter plans for a new church building on the property formerly owned by St. John's Mission were
formulated. The cornerstone was laid on June 22, 1889 and the first services were held on October 10, 1889.
The church consisted of only a nave; there was no chancel, sacristy or parish hall. In 1901 the parish added a
chancel, sacristy, guild hall and the first rectory.
In the ensuing years the parish experienced many severe financial problems and several changes of rectors, but
after the Great Depression, by 1939, the Sunday school had outgrown the church space and there was a need for a
church office. Church affairs were handled in a spare bedroom in the rented house occupied by the rector. In
June 1939 the rector moved into the newly constructed rectory on Milwaukee Avenue. The house included parish
office space and Sunday school space in the basement. This house is still in use by Trinity as residence for
assisting clergy on the parish staff.
In the years after World War II Wauwatosa and Trinity experienced substantial growth. It wasn't too long until
the parish needed expanded worship space. Construction on the current church building began in the spring of
1950, and the cornerstone was laid on November 5. The first services and dedication were held on Trinity
Sunday, May 20, 1951. The old church building was renovated for use as the Sunday school and parish hall.
The parish continued to grow in the early 1950's and the need for expanded Sunday school, parish hall and
parish office facilities became evident. The old church building was demolished. The current parish hall
was constructed and was dedicated on September 16, 1956. In 1964 the Chapel of the Ascension was added to the
church.
During the 1970's Trinity experienced a period of stability. Notable occurrences during this time were the
renovation of the sanctuary adding a free-standing altar, construction of the 1,648 pipe organ, and several
visits by the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey after his retirement. Trinity endowed Bishop
Ramsey's teaching missions at Nashotah House (the Episcopal seminary near Delafield, Wisconsin) during this
time.
In the 1980's Trinity experienced another era of parish growth. As part of its centennial celebration in 1987
the parish planned and embarked upon a major renovation of the church and parish hall. The narthex was
expanded; an elevator installed; new offices constructed; and upgrades were made to the parish hall, Sunday
school space and kitchen. The renovated space was dedicated on December 12, 1993.
Throughout its history Trinity has supported the origination and development of many mission programs through
financial and hands-on support. Programs such as the Cuban Resettlement Program, The Gathering, The Ulster
Project, The Haiti Project, Jubilee House, Our Next Generation, and Habitat for Humanity have been important
parts of parish life over the past forty years.
During the remainder of the 1990's and early 2000's Trinity Church experienced a time of transition and
stabilization. In July 2004 the Reverend Gary B. Manning was appointed by the Bishop of Milwaukee as vicar, at
the request and with the support of the vestry. Fr. Manning was elected by the vestry to be the rector in
January of 2006. Trinity Parish is now poised to enter the next phase of its second century as a strong and
caring congregation dedicated to spreading the love of our Lord to the surrounding community and the world.
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| The original frame building that once stood at 1717 Church Street, taken March 30, 1897 |
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| Consecration and dedication of the current building, May 20, 1951 |
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| The church exterior in the mid-1950's |
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