We have ministered in the Ottawa South area since 1876, witnessing generations as they evolve through life’s cycles, joined by the solace and strength gained from Christian fellowship and worship. These are just a few highlights of our history:
1876 January 15 – An ad hoc vestry meets in the Billings Bridge Temperance Hall to establish a new Church of England mission, called Trinity Church Mission. Services are held at the Temperance Hall while the mission building is constructed.
1879 August 24 – The first service was conducted in the new mission building by the first rector, The Reverend H.B. Patton, who served at Trinity until October, 1882.
1903- 1949 – Natalie Frerichs was Trinity’s longest-serving Music Director
1904 August – The Trinity Parish Guild begins operating an annual food tent at the Central Canada Exhibition at Lansdowne Park.
1907 – The Brotherhood of St. Andrew was organized by the men of the parish and put on musicals for many years.
1916 May 16 – A Ladies Guild was formed. Its first venture was a cooking sale on June 3, 1916.
1918 March 11 – A special vestry approves the vesting of the Choir. On Good Friday, the newly vested choir sang Stainer’s Crucifixion.
1923 – The Reverend Robert Turley came to Trinity and stayed until 1944. Reverend Turley was the longest-serving incumbent at Trinity. Trinity’s “Great Hall” was later rededicated as Turley Hall by Bishop Ernest Reed.
1926 April 4, Easter Day – The new Trinity Church opens, with Bishop John Charles Roper as celebrant.
1926 November 16 – The church hall below the nave was officially opened by the Venerable Archdeacon J. M. Snowdon.
1947 March 19, Ash Wednesday – a fire devastated Trinity. The Reverend Adrian Bender and an Altar Guild member, Mrs. Charles Paynter, trapped in the Vestry, are rescued by firemen.
1948 September 29 – The rebuilt church was opened.
1950 August – The Reverend Adrian Bender died. The “Lower Hall” of Trinity was later rededicated by Bishop Ernest Reed as Bender Hall.
1957 November – Bishop Ernest Reed laid the cornerstone for a major addition on Bank Street to Trinity, including a large auditorium and a ladies parlour. Bishop Reed dedicated the twelve new rooms and two new halls on 6 May 1958.
1963 May 23 – Trinity’s Casavant pipe organ was dedicated by Bishop Reed.
1968 – The Reverend Harvey Southcott becomes rector to serve until 1981. Harvey and his family moved into the new rectory, purchased on Sunnyside Avenue.
1976 October 24 – Archbishop William W. Davis celebrated a centennial rededication service at Trinity.
1981 – Jackie Johnston becomes Trinity’s first woman Warden.
Main Source: Adelaide B Morgan and Herbert E. Gladish, Reflections on the Past and Present of Trinity Anglican Church (1999).