History of Holy Trinity Anglican Church

“Why have I given you this history? Not just that you may know some facts about Trinity Church, but to help you realize your inheritance, the result of toil and struggle, the fruit of the dedication of thousands of loyal Churchmen.” - Rev. Arthur J. Monk, October 2, 1960

The first religious services in Bristol (first named New Cambridge) were held in the settlers’ homes, and the Puritan or Congregational form of worship was used. But there were some who remained loyal to the Church of England, and missed their liturgical form of worship. In 1747 they withdrew their membership and publicly declared themselves members of the Church of England under the Bishop of London. In spite of the opposition they faced in those pre-revolutionary days, they built their first church in 1754.

Then came the Revolutionary War and the feelings against the Tories (or Loyalists) grew more intense. Their minister was shot at and tarred and feathered; many of the parishioners were also mistreated. The church was closed. Members worshipped and held meetings secretly in homes. One of their most prominent members, Moses Dunbar, was hanged as a traitor. He was the only Loyalist to be hanged in the entire colony of Connecticut.

In 1790, the church members voted to join with the Episcopalians of East Plymouth and Harwinton and build a church in East Plymouth. St. Matthew’s Church was built and consecrated in 1795 by the first American bishop, Samuel Seabury.

In 1834, Trinity Church, Bristol was organized and a church was built on the west side of Maple Street. Membership grew and soon a larger church was needed. In 1863, a new church was built on Main Street, and then in 1889 was moved to High Street across from the Bristol library.

On October 11, 1945, Trinity Church was destroyed by a fire of undetermined origin. The congregation was devastated, but the people of Bristol were sympathetic to their plight and help came from many individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations.

After many donations, two fund-raising campaigns and the diligent work of church members, the new church was completed. It was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1949. In 1954, the tower and a parish house were added and in 1965 an addition to the parish house was built.

In 2004, the congregation celebrated 250 years of faith in the Anglican tradition. Over the course of the next few years, Trinity Episcopal Church became one of the “Connecticut Six,” a group of Episcopal churches whose orthodox beliefs conflicted with those of the state’s Episcopal hierarchy.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008, the congregation vacated the church building on Summer Street. To maintain orthodox beliefs in the authority of Holy Scripture and remain true to the Anglican tradition of worship, the church became Holy Trinity Anglican Church and was affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a mission of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

Over the next several years, we met at Greene-Hills School in Bristol, CT while praying fervently for God to provide us with a permanent home. In the summer of 2013 our prayers were answered when we were offered a historic, 150-year old sanctuary in the center of Plainville, that had been home to a Baptist congregation. We took possession of the building at our current home 18 East Main Street, Plainville, in late October 2013, and began plans for renovations. We held three services in December of 2013, including Christmas Eve, and began regular worship services in a newly renovated sanctuary on March 2, 2014.

We are currently members of The Anglican Diocese of the Living Word, a diocese of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), and a member diocese of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

Our history is one of trials and tribulations, but by the grace of God, the Anglican Church of Bristol/Plainville has survived. We do not know what the future may bring, but we do know that with trust and reliance on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, we, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, will carry on to the glory of Almighty God and advance His kingdom.