Trinity Congregation Will Reclaim Their Church On October 1

Trinity Episcopal Church will once again be open for worship on October 1 following a major restoration of the church and the parish house. The community is welcome to join the Trinity congregation as its members enter their worship space for the first time since the middle of June.

The $1.5 million project, begun in May, involved every room in the building and included new flooring, replastering, painting, repointing, new sound and lighting, heating/ventilating/air conditioning, addition of an elevator and handicap entrance, new back entrance, releading of some stained glass windows, and extension of the choir loft. This historic landmark, built in 1870, has been lovingly restored by talented and caring craftsmen and by the design and project management of parish members.

Members of the Restoration Site Committee included Pastor Kathie Adams-Shepherd, Larry Coleman, Hank Kessler, Dick Kraycir, Alan Mitchell, and Judy Pierce. The general contractor selected for the project was Thomas J. Kronenberger & Sons of Middletown, which had done restoration projects at such sites as the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, Center Church and the Mark Twain House in Hartford, Gillette Castle in Hadlyme, and the Universalist Church in West Hartford. Rick Schoenhardt and Associates of Simsbury was the architect for Trinity’s project.

Judy Pierce, Anne Tabler, and Beth Hoolehan worked on choosing colors and fabrics for the building interior, looking at samples of carpeting, paint, baseboards, curtains, drapes, countertops, and furniture for the entire church and the parish house.

“I’ve had many occasions now to speak with Mike and Emil of M.E. Painting, who painted the Sanctuary,” said Rose Dowd, chairperson of the church’s Communications Committee. “I usually catch them just about the time they are taking a break for lunch. I can tell from these conversations that they are not ordinary painters. They’re not just applying paint to the walls, they’re considering the combinations of colors, design, and style of application, and blending all of these elements together with an attention and caring that brings me joy. They often step back to view and consider what they have done much like an artist steps away from a canvas.”

“Emil was born in Poland and studied art there,” Ms Dowd said. “He has been painting churches for 45 years in the United States and Europe. Mike worked for the National Historical Artisan Organization for 10 years, and he has been painting churches for 15 years in the United States. These two met while both were working for this organization and realized the potential for a great team. Together they have painted many churches in Connecticut and Massachusetts including St Michael’s in Hartford.”

The pews, for example, weren’t just stripped and refinished, but rather painted using a special technique Emil learned in Europe, using brushes he made by hand, Ms Dowd said.

“This is a process that requires patience and a love for the work… This is just one example of the experience and skill that Mike and Emil brought to our project, which allowed the Site Committee to consider a variety of possibilities as the inside of the church was recreated,” she said.

On June 11 the parish processed out of the church to the Memorial Garden singing the hymn “The Church Has One Foundation.” Members of the parish gathered for worship in the Memorial Garden behind the church each Sunday during the summer. It is in this sacred garden that the parish will gather at 9 am on October 1 and will process back into the church together, singing the same hymn. Church School for ages 3 through grade 12, already begun, will move into newly renovated classrooms.

The restoration was made possible by a successful capital fund campaign. The contributions of the parish members allowed the congregation to meet its goal and move forward with the full scope of the restoration project. Some work outside and inside the church will continue through October, including releading of the clerestory windows and restoration of the needlepoint kneelers.

A November rededication is planned with the presence of a bishop from the Diocese of Connecticut.