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A Brief History of Trinity Parish
The first Episcopal Church services were held in 1819, and the
members of this group built a small church to be used both by Episcopalians and the Presbyterians. The Episcopal group
eventually stopped holding services. The present Episcopal ministry of Trinity Church actually was formed in the 1870's
when the Reverend George Gibbons, pastor at Fairmont, helped organize a congregation in Morgantown. Late in the 1870's
this group build a small wooden church on High Street. Bishop
George W. Peterkin, the first bishop of West Virginia, had an Episcopal dormitory built at the corner of Willey and Spruce
Streets, which was completed in 1895. This dormitory served Episcopal students on the nearby West Virginia University
campus until 1907, when it was rented to the University for a woman's dormitory. By this time the small wooden church
had been moved to a lot directly behind the dormitory. Trinity
congregation grew slowly but steadily between 1900 and 1949, and was beginning to feel the need for more space. In 1948,
definite plans were made to establish a stone, Gothic edifice on the site of the former dormitory. This building, completed
in 1952, is the current structure and is noted for its beautiful stained glass windows. Much of this glass was made
in West Virginia glass factories. The proximity of
Trinity to the University, in our recent past, has resulted in a large and active program for students. These students
periodically have made up a sizable percent of the congregation, and have been active in many projects on campus and in the
community. One of the noted church activities is the
Community Kitchen which continues to serve a noon meal five during the week to the needy. This program, now separately
incorporated, has operated successfully for more than 25 years. Other churches and community groups also provide a Saturday
meal to the community as well. Trinity Church, with
its devoted congregation and their community involvement, continues to aim to be a vital force in town and university life. -- Ken Carvell; Church Historiographer
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One of the oldest Episcopal
Parishes in West Virginia!