Holy Trinity Church
Inwood

Community House of Holy Trinity. [ larger ]

The parish of Holy Trinity Church was incorporated in 1868 in Harlem, just after the American Civil War. The parish built the first building on the prestigious corner of Fifth Avenue and 125th Street. At the time there was much struggle within the Anglican Church about the differences between so-called "Low" church and "High" church. Low church Anglicans wanted to distance themselves from the Roman Catholic heritage. This meant simplicity was paramount, and elaborate vestments, incense, bells and other liturgical ostentation were superfluous. High church advocates preferred the pomp of Roman tradition; referred to colloquially as the "smells and bells." For more than a dozen years, the congregation flourished as a "low church" Anglican parish in a prominent neighborhood.

A great fire in 1880, destroyed the building, but not the heart of the parish. The land was sold, and a new building erected on the corner of Lenox and 122nd Street. Although the parish was still Low church, this building was given an even more splendid edifice than its predecessor. However in 1925, a second fire gutted the interior. At the time, Harlem was in a population flux, as so called "white-flight" occurred. White families uncomfortable with the growing black American population, sold out their magnificent brownstones. The vestry of Holy Trinity in keeping with prevailing thoughts at the time, decided to take the opportunity afforded by the fire to sell and relocate.

In 1927, after much discussion, Holy Trinity agreed to merge with a small but dynamic mission church in Inwood, called Holy Redeemer at Seaman Avenue and Isham. The simple wood frame church of Holy Redeemer stood where the tennis courts of Inwood Hill Park now stand. Financially there was a merger, however most parishioners came from the Holy Redeemer Parish. There was a generous sale of the old Harlem church location, and new land was purchased on the corner of Cumming and Seaman Avenue. The location is conveniently one block from Dyckman (200th Street) and Broadway. Ambitious plans were made for the new Cumming Street location. Then the stock market crashed. Plans were suspended, and the parish moved forward with only the lower portion of the planned sanctuary and a community house. The upper sanctuary and rectory were never constructed.

Easter 1955 at Holy Trinity. [ larger ]

The parish thrived in the 1950's with an estimated 300 members. There were clubs, meetings and events virtually every night of the week. The parish activities filled the lives of people in the neighborhood in the days before everyone had a television.

The Holy Trinity gymnasium was alive with constant activities from Cub Scouts and the parish basketball team, to Women's Auxilliary and various fundraisers. All were intregral parts of the family of Holy Trinity.

Unfortunately as the 50's ended and the 60's began middle class families moved on, as they had in the early days of Holy Trinity in Harlem. This time people left the neighborhood and parish for the suburbs. Membership declined as the neighborhood changed and church attendance in general declined in the US.

Over the ensuing years, this historic parish dwindled to a low of 8 members in 1986.

Cub Scouts June 1957. [ larger ]

Though this might sound bleak, a tenacious membership survived, and an amazing rebound began. Under the leadership of our current Vicar we have boosted membership to over 50, which is only the beginning! We are a growing, thriving community. When a planned restoration of the roof is completed, work will begin on other areas of the church. We have a thriving children's theatre group, concert series, mini-gallery, a food pantry and a delightful coffee hour (for which Anglicans are well known).

Please feel free to drop by for any of our services. You will immediately feel welcomed like you're visiting an old country church.

We even have the leaky roof for an authentic rustic feel. If you would like to help with the Raise the Roof, please contact us at or call (212) 567-1177