Come, enter God’s Sanctuary (Trinity Episcopal Church) and enjoy the
beauty of His woods. All are welcome here…
The cool maple floor will lead you down the center aisle between the
13 southern red oak pews. Sneak a glance at the 9 oil paintings of
the Way of the Cross, donated by an artist within the parish. Look
up and take note of the 8 towering, majestic, natural spruce trusses
resembling the hulls of great fishing boats, joined at an apex above
a hanging Cross. Let the clean aroma of wood polish and of sulfur
from candles just extinguished fill you, along with the lingering
odors of perfumes and wet wool coats.
In the chancel before you, kneel and find rest and comfort on the 65
feet of hand-stitched kneelers which read:
HEAR WHAT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST SAITH: THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY
GOD WITH ALL THY HEART AND WITH ALL THY SOUL AND WITH ALL THY MIND.
THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT AND THE SECOND IS LIKE UNTO
IT. THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. ON THESE TWO
COMMANDMENTS HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS…
An octagonal polished white oak communion rail surrounds the inner
sanctuary. A rich, warm layered cherry wood altar with one large
piece across, supported at each end by a smaller, the ends each
containing 3 Brazilian rosewood Cross inlays, serves to receive our
offering and prayers to sanctify our bread and our wine to be the
Body and Blood of our Redeemer. Suspended above the simple altar,
to the Glory of God, a beautiful, 10 foot Brazilian rosewood Cross
with beveled edges catches the light of some carefully placed
“sunspots” making it appear to be outlined in gold.
Behind the Chancel, bordered by natural finished slatted wood walls,
a massive 40 foot high, ¾ ton wooden frame supports an approximately
equal amount of lead and stained glass depicting the Holy Trinity –
a hand for God the Father, a modernistic sun for God the Son, and a
flame to symbolize the Holy Spirit. All this is imposed on a riot
of color conveying a feeling of movement and turmoil of the world in
which we live, and the ferment of the 60’s, when the window was
designed. Darkest at the bottom, gaze upwards to see more and more
light as your eyes reach the symbols of The Father and The Son,
implying a clearer vision, a clearer understanding and a greater
peace as you draw closer to God.
The simplicity of the Sanctuary is truly its beauty. The lack or
ornate design, or expensive and intricate woodwork, calls to one and
all to feel welcome and at home. To my knowledge, the Sanctuary has
a wonderfully acoustic echo, but I can’t say if it’s there when
there is no one around to hear it!! Perhaps I’ll take you on a
picnic (or Eucharist) in these woods, but that’s a walk for another
day.
1867 A BRIEF HISTORY OF
TRINITY CHURCH, WEYMOUTH 2004
Trinity Church,
Weymouth, was founded in 1867 by a group of local Episcopalians who
were originally members of Christ Church, Quincy, or one of the
Boston Episcopal Churches.
Early church
meetings were held in private homes. On July 7, 1867, Williams
Hall, which stood on the corner of Washington and Front Streets in
Weymouth Landing, was rented for services. From July 7th
to December 8, 1867, regular services were held in the hall.
Williams Hall
soon became too small to accommodate the congregation, and, the
Tilden Homestead on Front Street was purchased in September 1867.
The Parish was organized as a free church on November 11, 1867 under
the name it is known by today, Trinity Episcopal Church, Weymouth.
After
alterations and renovations were completed, the first service was
held in this new building on December 8, 1867. The Reverend Henry
Burroughs was the first rector at an annual salary of one thousand
dollars. Trinity Church was consecrated by Bishop Benjamin H.
Paddock on May 21, 1874.
Originally a
mission church, Trinity became a self-supporting parish in the mid
1940’s. In 1957 a building program was undertaken and possible
sites were considered for a new church. The present site at 241
Broad Street (formerly the McNamee property) was approved for
purchase in June 1957. Trinity Church took title to this property
in April 1958. After a successful fund raising drive, ground was
broken on May 16, 1959 for the first phase of the new building
program, namely the parish hall and foyer. The first service was
held in March 1960. Phase two of the building program included the
present church area and ground was broken for this in May 1967. The
first service in the new building was held on Palm Sunday 1968.
In 1983, after a
period of relatively short-term Rectors, we called a new Rector, The
Rev. Victoria Wells, who was the first woman rector on the South
Shore and possibly in the entire Diocese. After 18 years of loyal
service, she married and resigned as Rector on December 31, 2001.
The Rev.
William Eddy served as Interim Priest for two years, during which
time the Parish conducted a search for a new Rector.
In February
2004 The Rev. Dr. Clare Yarborough was called to fill the vacancy.
Clare, as she likes to be called, was priest-in-charge for three
years at Church of Our Saviour in Somerset, MA
A Celebration of a
New Ministry for The Rev'd. Clare Yarborough was held on Wednesday,
June 23, 2004. The Rt. Rev'd Gayle Elizabeth Harris was Celebrant
and Preacher.
Should you be
looking for a friendly, dedicated group of people with whom to
worship, we welcome you to Trinity Church, Weymouth.
