Trinity Episcopal Parish, Melrose, MA

Trinity Episcopal Parish, Melrose, MA


Trinity Episcopal it one of several granite stone churches built around the same period in Melrose. The English revival style is its defining feature. Note the ornate designs in the trim of the slate roof.
Pillars & Foundations was initiated as an exploration of communities as well as faith through religious institutions. My intent is to share experiences, and spread the positivity that I observe. Faith centers embody a drive to make a difference which they deliver upon, regardless if it is with one person looking for hope & community, or a recipient of their expansive charitable work.


Three large windows on the rear wall of the sanctuary

History & Building

The Trinity Episcopal Church in Melrose, Massachusetts was actually designed by a fairly well known architect, Charles Brigham who also designed other well known Boston area buildings such as the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Back Bay. The style of the church is considered English Revival or Tudor with the granite walls and gabled features in the bell tower and eaves. The main building was built in 1886 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Off white walls, ornate woodwork, a stained wood, exposed beam ceiling in the nave, with light filtering in rich stained glass windows give a warmth to the space. Above the chancel and the altar light blue accents on the ceiling contrast the splashes of red carpet in the sanctuary. 

On our visit a summer rain was falling, and open window and doors allowed the sounds of the weather to waft into the sanctuary mixing with the notes of the organ. It really added to the inviting atmosphere of the church making for a unique experience. 



The Congregation

Currently Trinity Episcopal is undergoing a transitory period as a long serving Rector, Bruce Lomas recently retired. Today's service was a Morning Prayer as a consequence, the sermon conducted by the clerk Michael Thompson, as the temporary minister Rev. Lisa Fortuna was on vacation. 

Trinity welcomes all people, all races, ethnicities, sexual orientation and ages, as is stated in a flyer provided to us as visitors. 

The congregants warmly greeted my wife and I giving us a run down of the day's services. We were also invited to a social gathering (Lemonade on the Lawn) following the service.


The Service

The Morning Prayer we attended did not include the Eucharist as a typical Episcopal service would. Because the official Minister was on a leave this part of the typical service was absent. Regardless it included three lessons as well as a series of prayers (i.e. The General Thanksgiving prayer) read to the congregants. Additionally several traditional hymns were performed accompanied by organ. 

The first reading 2 Samuel 7:1-14a from the Old Testament discusses construction of a church, the second reading Ephesians 2:11-22 speaks to the relations of Jews and Christians as both being citizens of God. Lastly the third reading Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 spoke to Christ assisting anyone needing guidance.

Michael Thompson's sermon tied this all together by expressing how outside of a church it does not matter if a person defines oneself as religious, or spiritual, but whether they are providing assistance. The church is a symbol of providing such assistance and such help, or goodness created and spread shouldn't be limited to a group with a fixed set of beliefs, but should be practiced by and for all. That this should be the actual goal of congregants despite ones own religious identity.


Organ is to the left, above the altar, the ceiling is a very light blue, difficult to note in this photograph.

Outreach

Trinity Episcopal gives back to Melrose as well as the greater area through many activities and charitable actions. It supports the Melrose Food Pantry, supports a faith related summer camp for children called the Barbara C. Harris Camp, provides volunteers routinely for St. Luke's Kitchen to serve those in need, runs a thrift shop to provide low cost items to the community, and participates in Project Linus to provide blankets to children in need. Various other social activities and ministries (i.e. Altar Guild, Choir, Greeters) also provide ways to contribute to the functionality of the church itself.

Trinity Episcopal has a rich history in Melrose, and unquestionably Melrose and surrounding communities continue to be enhanced by its presence.

Text and photographs by George Parks
Sources are embedded in links



Comments

  1. View from the pewsAugust 6, 2018 at 4:44 PM

    I would also add that Trinity hosts a community theater group in Melrose called "Theatre to Go" which does three shows a year and is open to anyone in the community to audition or get involved in another way. It is another way that Trinity Church seeks to connect with the community in Melrose.

    ReplyDelete
  2. George N. ParksOctober 3, 2018 at 5:20 PM

    Thank you for the extra information!

    ReplyDelete

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