History
On the eve of the Civil War, an Episcopal church was born in Gainesville. In the late 1850’s, Bishop Rutledge, the first Diocesan in Florida, dispatched itinerant priests to serve Episcopalians in Gainesville and surrounding small towns. In 1860, The Rev. O.P Thackara of Fernandina brought together several families and established a mission which gathered in private homes and at the Presbyterian Church. The completion of the railroad that stretched across Florida from Fernandina to Cedar Key brought an influx of people and commerce to Gainesville as it began to recover from the ravages of war.
By 1868, “Trinity Parish” recorded 26 communicants, with The Rev. B.F. Dunkin Perry serving as first Rector. Services were held in the Old Courthouse and later in the Town Hall. By 1869, funds had been raised to purchase property on the corner of North Main and NE Second Avenue, at the present site of the Masonic Temple. Despite an epidemic of yellow fever, failure of the cotton crop, and a national financial collapse, the construction of a wooden, Carpenter Gothic church began. By 1873, Bishop Young visited the new facility, now served by The Rev. E.W. Meany, Rector. In 1886, the church was incorporated as “The Church of the Holy Trinity.”
Growth in the city and the rumble from the prospering railroad traffic outside its doors compelled the members to seek a quieter location for worship. In 1903, a lot was purchased on the corner of NE First Street and First Avenue. Bishop Weed laid the cornerstone in 1905. By 1907, a stone, Gothic structure was completed, thriving under the leadership of The Rev. Francis B. Craighill and serving 100 communicants.
As the University of Florida grew, so grew Gainesville and Holy Trinity. Increased church membership prompted construction of a parish hall with classrooms in 1923. During the Depression and WWII, the church struggled as did the rest of the nation. Afterward, the influx of veterans benefitting from the GI Bill put the university, the city, and Holy Trinity on a new path of growth. The inspired ministry of Earle C. Page, spanning 25 years from 1960 to1985, invigorated the parish. Purchase of properties adjoining the church made way for the Phillips Education building in 1961. A Memorial Garden on the south side of the building was redesigned and rededicated in 1964. With Earle Page leading the way, the church members dedicated themselves to parish and community ministries.
Rebuilt church in 1994
On January 21, 1991, fire destroyed the 1907 Holy Trinity church building. A second fire in 1992 destroyed the 1923 Parish hall. Under the leadership of The Rev. David Pittman, the rebuilding process started immediately. The surviving bell tower guided the intention to replicate though enlarge the 1907 plan. Expanded office, reception, and classroom space enhanced the new design. By spring 1994, Holy Trinity parishioners resumed worship services in the newly-completed Page Parish Hall. On Christmas Eve, 1994, Holy Trinity celebrated the Nativity in its new church.
Holy Trinity sustains its members and serves the downtown community in the multitude of activities described elsewhere on this website. Devoted lay leadership, strong rectors, and the development of a city and its university bracket the history of this church as it reaches toward its 150th anniversary. Holy Trinity goes forward, guided by its first female rector, The Rev. Louanne Loch, making new history in Christ’s name.
Octogenarian’s Pamphlet Circles the Globe
Corbin Scott Carnell
Corbin Scott Carnell
Even newcomers to Holy Trinity thrill to the strong, resonant voice of Corbin Carnell when he takes his turn as a Sunday lector. Despite advancing years, Corbin’s voice rings out with the poetry of the Word. Longtime members know Corbin as a Professor Emeritus of the University of Florida’s English Department, where he specialized in the life and works of C. S. Lewis. Perhaps those who attend the Sunday lectionary class or the weekly Rector’s Bible Study will be familiar with Corbin’s treatise, “Five Reasons To Believe.” It is published by the Forward Movement and is now in its 5th printing. According to a production editor, Forward Movement normally produces 10,000 copies of a work at each printing. This means that at least 50,000 copies of Corbin’s pamphlet have been printed and circulated around the world. Below is a copy of the pamphlet, provided by Forward Movement who generously granted permission for us to publish it on our website. We celebrate Corbin’s life and ministry among us. Enjoy reading his testimony of faith.
FIVE Reasons To Believe, Corbin Scott Carnell
©1992 Forward Movement. Used with permission.
Printed copies available at www.forwardmovement.org
James D. Salter receives the Bishop's Cross Award
Bishop’s Cross Award
Mr. James D. Salter
January 31, 2009
Few people have served the Diocese of Florida or their own parish more diligently or with more vigor than has James D. Salter. Jim has chaired the budget and audit committee of the Diocese, and was appointed Vice Chancellor of the Diocese by Bishop Cerveny. An avid supporter of Camp Weed, he served on the Camp Weed Capital Campaign Committee and on the Camp and Conference Committee.
Jim founded the Holy Trinity Foundation and has served as its chairman for 40 years. The assets of the Foundation have grown to establish it as a major contributor to the work of the parish and, thus, the Diocese. He chaired the Capital Campaign to rebuild Holy Trinity after it was destroyed by fire in 1991 and has, over the years, represented Holy Trinity at many Diocesan Conventions, served on numerous Vestries and as Senior Warden on four occasions.
A former Sunday School teacher and superintendent of the Sunday School, he serves as Head Verger at Holy Trinity, and the Bishop can personally attest to his excellence in that role on the basis of experience as recent as one week ago.
Jim has served on two rector search committees, chairing one of them. His leadership in his parish is legendary; his work for the Diocese and Holy Trinity tireless; and his love for the Episcopal Church endless. Jim Salter has given most generously of his God-given time, talent and treasure toward the support, upbuilding and strengthening of the life of the Diocese and his parish. Accordingly, it is our honor today to award to him the Bishop’s Cross Award of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida.
-From the Episocpal Diocese of Florida
