Church of the Holy Trinity and Rectory
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[edit] Description
Address: 381 Main Street, Middletown, Connecticut
Style: Gothic Revival
Date of Construction: 1871-1874
Materials: Cut Brownstone
Structure: Load Bearing Masonry with gabled roof
Architect: Henry Dudley
Builder: McConochie, Moore & Mylchreest
Historic Use: Church
Current Use: Holy Trinity Church
[edit] Relationship to Surroundings
This Gothic Church faces east from the west side of Main Street on the central block between Court and Washington Streets. it is set back from the streeet with a lawn in front. Its substantial appearance, emphasized by the sombre tones of the heavy brownstone construction, constrasts greatly with the flat facades and brightly decorated storefronts on Main Street.
[edit] Significance
The Episcopal Church in Middletown had its beginnings as early as 1724. Unlike many Colonial Anglican Churches it was firmly committed to the patriot cause during the American Revolution. This is the third meeting house of the church of the Holy Trinity, which was formally established as Christ Church in 1750. Several of its ministers have become Bishops, including Abraham Jarvis, John Williams, and E. Camion Acheson.
This church was built in 1870-1874. Henry Dudley was the architect and the firm of McConochie, Moor and Mylechreest was the prime contractor. Constructed of local brownstone, this church displays a symmetrically arranged facade with a buttressed bell tower at the southeast corner. A large rose tracery window is the dominant decorative feature of this facade, which also displays arched and lancet windows. The tower lacks a spire but features narrow arched windows which emphasize its verticality, and echo the fenestration of the facades. The interior displays elaborate tracery trusses support on cast iron posts. The present altar and reredos were added around 1892 and were designed by Charles Haight of New York.
In the two decades following the American Civil War, a number of institutional buildings were constructed in the Gothic Revival style in Middletown. The design of this church is representative of that pattern.
[edit] Current Use and Condition
The Church continues to be used as a church and is in good condition.
[edit] References
- Middletown, Connecticut Historical and Architectural Resources. Volume III, Card Number 173. John Reynolds. July, 1978.
