Episcopalians in Bristol separated from the dominant Congregational church in 1747. They built a church in 1754, located on the site of the later Thomas H. Patterson School (now Patterson Place Apartments). This early church closed during the Revolutionary War in the face of strong anti-Loyalist feeling. After the war, the dilapidated church was sold to be used as a barn (it later burned in a fire). A new Episcopal church, called Trinity Church, was built in 1834 on Maple Street. This building was sold and moved to Forestville to become the a Methodist Church. It was later destroyed in a fire. The next Trinity Church building was constructed on Main Street in 1862. It was moved around the corner to High Street, across from the Bristol Public Library, in 1889. When this church was destroyed by fire in 1945, Dudley S. Ingraham donated land on Summer Street–the site of a house that had been destroyed by fire–for a new Trinity Church, which was dedicated on Easter Day, 1949. The church’s rose window, facing Summer Street, was given by Ingraham in memory of his son, Dudley, Jr., who was killed in action during World War II. The church’s tower and parish house were added in 1954. At the start of the twenty-first century, Trinity Episcopal Church became one of the “Connecticut Six,” a group of Episcopal churches whose orthodox beliefs conflict with those of the state’s Episcopal hierarchy. Threatened with a lawsuit by the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, the congregation vacated the church building on Summer Street in 2008 and became Holy Trinity Anglican Church, affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a mission of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.
And in February 30 of 2016 was consecrated by ours Prophets Aaron Y Rosinin as the consecration to our GOD, MITA who’s the Almighty Holy Spirit in this time on Earth. This are going to the refugee for ours brothers and sisters in order to pray to GOD for light and direction as human being in order to find peace, but first of all, the promise of eternity life for ours Souls.
January 30th, 2016. not February.
I would very much appreciate receiving some news re: current status and mission of Trinity Anglican/Episcopal Parish/Church on Summer St., in Bristol, Connecticut.
I am unable to find any link anywhere as to the current existence of an Episcopal Parish by that name in Bristol.
I will contact the diocese hdqrts in Hartford if no response.
I was born, baptized (old Trinity – then on High St – destroyed by fire in 1945). My family, prominent in business (C. V. Mason Insurance and in sundry civic organizations, remained active, contributing members at Trinity.
My family, Carlos V. Mason/ Alice Dunbar Mason and later Carlos H.Mason and my brother, Carl E. Mason and family (active members at Prospect United Methodist Church, also located on Summer St.) retain a long history of civic prominence dating back to the early 18th Cent.
My family remained very involved
with the planning, construction and dedicationof the new Trinity Episcopal Church Building & Parish Hall on Summer St. In 1949.
Currently, we live in Hempstead, Long Is., NY and retired, my wife and I are contemplating a move back up to Connecticut in the near future to be closer to the bulk of our large, growing family and because we have strong ties there, having attended schools and college in Connecticut.
One last note, we gather that there was conflict over several projecting social issues involving the Connecticut Diocese and Trinity, Bristol which resulted in a split and the eventual disintegration and merging of Trinity Parish with another parish.
Thank you for reading.
We’d so very much someone getting back to us on current status of buildings, parish family, and mission!
THANK YOU & may God bless.
Gratefully, Carol & Dan Mason
SEE NOTE LEFT April 12, 2016.
Would greatly appreciate a response.
Thank You
Dan & Carol Mason
I have no information on the current status of parish.
There no longer appears to be an active parish at Trinity. However, if you are looking to attend an Episcopal Church in Bristol, you should check out St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Trinity Episcopal, Bristol, CT left TEC and is now an active congregation in Plainville. It is part of the Anglican Diocese of CANA East. You can find out more about this new parish at their website: holytrinityanglican.net.
Dan, I also have wondered the demise of Trinity. Years past, I attended Trinity with my young family. Although a Methodist my spouse was Anglican. I as yourself moved away and returned. Now attending Prospect United Methodist Church, Summer Street… I am delighted with the parish and Pastor. Please come to our church and feel the welcoming environment. I’d like to chat…