Trinity Episcopal Church, also known as "Trinity on the Pike," is located on Baltimore Washington Boulevard near Waterloo. Special thanks to Viola Dick and Sarah Shannon, who researched and wrote the following history describing major events, dates and key people involved in Trinity Episcopal Church's history.
It was decided to build a "Chapel of Ease," and on July 30, 1856, work was started on land that was donated by Dr. Lennox Birckhead and Mr. William G. Ridgely. By spring 1857, the chapel was ready for services. It was consecrated as Trinity Chapel on March 26, 1857 by the Rt. Reverend William Rollinson Whittingham, Bishop of Maryland. Credit for its establishment was given to the Birkhead family. Mrs. Adaminna Birckhead and Mrs. Olson Adams would ride the neighborhood in a buggy to ask for donations. The chapel was a plain board building costing less than $2,000. The Mother Church was Christ Church, Guilford, which was located in Queen Caroline Parish. Trinity Chapel was larger than the Mother Church, and at that time, the entrance faced the Pike (known as U.S. Route 1 today).
When Trinity Chapel was consecrated, Alexander X. Berger was Rector at Christ Church, and was Trinity's first rector. One of Mr. Berger's descendants, his great-granddaughter, Doris Berger Moore, is still a member and involved in the church as was her father.
In September 1857, a Sunday School Building was constructed and occupied in 1858. Later in 1860, a graveyard was received one-half mile northwest of the church on Pearce's Lane. It was deeded to Queen Caroline Parish by Theodore Tubman and Myers Pearce. The graveyard is known as "Chapel Hill."
In 1861, the Civil War broke out and continued for four years. Mr. Berger resigned from Christ Church and a new rector was not called, thus, leaving Trinity without a rector. Because a new rector was not called, the congregation of Trinity decided to build a rectory. They petitioned the Diocesan Convention for admission as a parish and for the right to call a rector.
In 1866, the Protestant Episcopal Convention granted Trinity Chapel permission to separate from Christ Church ( i.e., the Mother Church) and made an independent congregation under the name of "Trinity Church." The first vestry was elected in 1866. The Reverend Theodore C. Gambrill was called as the first resident rector of the new parish and moved into the newly built rectory.
In 1867, the bell tower and sacristy were added. On May 28, 1868, Trinity Church was admitted into Union, with the Convention in 1868, established as a new parish named "Trinity Parish."
In 1871 a chapel was constructed at Pfeiffer's Corner at Route 108 and Old Montgomery Road.
The original rectory partially burned in 1872. The repairs were completed in 1873. The rector and his family lived in the Sunday School building while the repairs were made.
The year of 1890 brought change to the church by adding a stone extension on the front and the chancel was placed in the east end with the entrance moved to the north side. Cedar shingles were used to cover the rest of the building, converting it into what is known as "a shingle-style structure of the late 19th century." This converted the church into a beautiful landmark which resulted in the building you see today. This change also increased the seating capacity.
The Reverend William F. Gardner served the longest rectorship in Trinity's history (1872-1907). The first dollar the Reverend Gardner earned was made into an insert in Trinity's communion railing in memory of John A. Rowland, Mrs. Gardner's brother. The altar was given by the Gardners and the window in memory of Thomas Dudley who was a brother-in-law of Mrs. Gardner and the Bishop of Kentucky.
The Reverend B. Duvall Chambers, rector during 1908-1912, was serving three congregations; namely, Trinity, St. Mary's Church and the Chapel at Pfeiffer's Corner. Reverend Chambers recognized the need for a Parish Hall. In 1909, a new Parish Hall was built at Trinity and the old Sunday School building was torn down (Reverend Chambers also was responsible for having the Parish Hall built at St. Mary's Church; the hall in Jessup is now the Jessup Community Hall). The original Trinity Hall was used widely by the community.
The Reverend Theodore S. Hill was rector for two years (1916-1918). During this time, the pulpit was acquired. It was a gift from St. Anne's Church, Annapolis, who just installed a new pulpit in their church.
The Reverend C. Houghton Fosbroke served from 1919-1938. While at Trinity, he developed a thriving milk business. It was during the difficult times of the depression that the Chapel at Pfeiffer's Corner and St. Mary's Church at Jessup were discontinued. All services were then held at Trinity. The present pipe organ, which is the same one used today, was installed during the latter part of Reverend Fosbroke's stay (some time between 1937-1938).
The second longest serving rector was the Reverend George Van Bibber Shriver (1945-1969). The Reverend Shriver returned from India where he had served as the first Episcopal missionary to work in India. Trinity could not afford to pay a full-time rector, so the Reverend Shriver, also a civil engineer, became a worker priest. As one who had trained to be a missionary, he continued to use his skills bringing in many new communicants. A bus was purchased to bring the children to Sunday School.
A new member of the church, Mr. Dudley Withers, was a retired army engineer. Mr. Withers' building expertise enabled the church to have the Parish Hall renovated. The largest project was to have the church raised and a new concrete foundation installed. New pews were also purchased.
After the Reverend Shriver's death, lay readers and substitutes filled in until a new rector was called in 1970. The new Reverend Pardoe (1970-1973) decided that the best interest of the church was to sell it and build a new hurch near Howard High School in Columbia. During this time, the church community went through quite a turmoil, and there was much discussion of relocating and tearing down the church. Faithful members and friends fought vigorously to save Trinity Church at its present location. As a result, the Reverend Pardoe resigned in 1973. Trinity Church was saved, but at a great cost. Members that remained worked diligently to rebuild the membership and the property. Buildings were repaired and painted.
Through the efforts of Mrs. Frances Mason and Mrs. Lois Curtis, on May 24, 1974, Trinity Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places for its "stylistic variation inspired by the Gothic revival of the 19th century."
The Reverend John Hird (who was also a working priest) served from 1974-1982. During his tenure, the United States celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976. The church celebrated with the rest of the nation. New cedar shakes and a new roof was installed on the church.
The Sunday School building remaining at Pfeiffer's Corner (under the inspiration of Mrs. Lois Curtis and Mrs. Dorothy Stembler) was renovated and became one of Trinity's outreach programs known as "Trinity Gift and Thrift Shop." Money from the shop has been used for many improvements and has helped pay for the 2002 addition to Trinity. The shop has been in operation since 1980.
During Trinity's search for a full-time minister, Senior Warden Phillip St. Clair Thompson insisted our call to be for a full-time minister. He believed the minister needed all his time to serve the Lord, and the members should support one. The Reverend David Cammack was called in 1983. He was with us until 1992 until he retired. During Reverend Cammack's service, the desire to add an addition to the hall was continued. With a large gift from Mrs. Esther Dorsey, the congregation hoped to add classrooms and offices to the hall. Unfortunately, repairs to the hall became too expensive. There were too many problems to correct. Parishioners persevered in the quest for a way to realize their dreams of having decent classrooms for the children.
While the search was on for a new rector, the rectory was completed renovated. Steel beams were installed to the basement, chimneys were lined, the kitchen rebuilt and a new restroom built. Many other repairs and upgrades were made thanks to the Jack Baker family (Jack, Charles and Jim Schoo). The dream of an addition was still foremost in everyone's mind. A survey was conducted and a fund-raiser held. An architect was hired and the dream seemed to be coming true.
In 1993, the Reverend John Steiner, IV was called. The 14th and present rector, The Reverend John Steiner IV, is helping lead us into the new millennium. Under Rector Steiner's leadership, plans for a new addition began. On May 26, 2002, a dedication ceremony was held for the completion of the new addition. This addition connects the church and parish hall which contains Sunday School classrooms, an office, choir vestment room and waiting room. As a result of this addition, the parish hall area is planned to be used for more community activities.
In the fall of 2002, the gazebo was built in honor of the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Orson Adams. Through the generosity of many Adams decedents, the "Adams Family Gazebo" was built, to become a central part of the meditation garden. The iron memorial fence, bordering a portion of the meditation garden, is part of the fence that was originally located along Washington Boulevard outlining Trinity's property. In an effort to cooperate with the State Highway Administration's request and needed improvements required by the construction of the new addition, the iron fence was removed from its original location. In an effort to conserve resources and preserve part of Trinity Church's unique charm and history, the fence was incorporated into plans for a new meditation garden.
Trinity has been working diligently for the past few years planning a meditation garden. This garden, when completed, will be a place in the midst of Elkridge where church members and the community may come to pray or meditate in a beautiful, spiritual setting among nature. New trees, flowers and other shrubs will be planted among the existing vegetation. A new path is also planned, around the gazebo to the parking area. Although the garden has not yet been completed, the meditation garden has already experienced a beautiful wedding ceremony inside the gazebo. Contributions are needed to purchase materials and plantings. If you would like to be part of Trinity's new meditation garden, send your tax deductible contributions to: The Meditation Garden at Trinity Church, 7474 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, Maryland 21075. Tax receipts will be provided upon request. For more information, call 410-799-7974 or e-mail Lynn Mason.
As the final phase of the 2002 addition, memorial bricks were installed in the fall of 2003 into the shape of a cross and are displayed outside the new entrance to the addition. Bricks may still be purchased with personal engravings. Click here for more information. New memorial bricks will be added to this area just outside the main door to enhance the memorial area.