Our History

Trinity Episcopal Church carries with it many memories and associations dating back to pre-Civil War days. It was the first non-Catholic church in Natchitoches and the third Episcopal church in Louisiana.

The building itself is of Gothic-Norman architecture; the exterior walls, of masonry, vary in thickness from 22 to 28 inches. The interior is spanned by large laminated wood arches which resemble a wagon vault. All beams are tied directly into the brickwork. The wood flooring is of handcut timber. A sturdy, buttressed bell tower gives added dignity to the main structure. The bell, said to be of one-third silver, was cast especially for this church at the Troy Bell Foundry of Troy, New York.

Work on the building was begun in 1857. The life of the congregation, however, antedates the building. The first Episcopal service in Natchitoches was held in the Court House on Sunday, March 31, 1839, with the Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk, missionary bishop of the Southwest, as the officiant; and old Parish Register entries date back to May 23, 1841.

Among the first officers of the church, appointed in 1841, were Victor, Ambrose, and Adolphe Sompayrac; Lewis G. DeRussey; E.O. Blanchard; William Hunter; Thomas H. Airey; Thomas P. Jones; S.M. Tibbitts; and F. Williams.

On March 22, 1843, the Church was formally incorporated by act of the legislature, largely through the efforts of Bishop Polk, the “Fighting Bishop.” The first permanent place of worship for the congregation was a converted store building on the corner of Front and Trudeau streets which was used from 1843 to 1857. In 1855, the congregation purchased land on the corner of Trudeau and Second, just one block behind the first church. Bishop Polk laid the cornerstone during the month of April 1857. Regular services began in the building on Ash Wednesday, 1858; although, at the time only the walls, floor and ceiling were completed.

A large percentage of the money for the building was given by Major General J. Watts de Peyster of Tivoli, New York, in memory of his daughter Maria, who died in 1857. General de Peyster also gave the church an organ, the tower bell (which is inscribed “West Troy Bell Foundry, NY 1857. Presented to Trinity Church, Natchitoches by J. Watts de Peyster as a token of respect and regard for Thomas Scott Bacon, its first rector and his friend”). The beautiful communion vessels, which we still use each time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist were another of General de Peyster’s gifts to our church.

In 1900, General de Peyster again gave generously toward renovation of the church. The restoration was celebrated with a special service on May 27, 1900. A newspaper clipping was pasted into the parish register, and has been transcribed here.

In 1917, the 60th anniversary of the present chuch building was celebrated with a special sevice on June 3. The service included a history of the congregation prepared by the then rector, The Reverend J. Orson Miller. A newspaper article including the "historic sermon" was also pasted into the parish register. It has been transcribed here.

The parish hall and classroom wing was added in 1962. It was designed by architect A. Hays Town to blend well with the architecture of the original building. The general contract for the project was Marbry Jones, a member of the parish, and the brother of the then rector, Julian Jones.

In 2003, the front porch was extended and a ramp was added to provide easier access to the church. The architect for the project was George W. Minturn, a member of the parish, who remained mindful of the need to remain true to the style of the original building, while accommodating the needs of all who wish to worship here.

In May 2008, the ramp was dedicated in memory of Charlie Harrington and in honor of the ministry of The Reverend Richard M. Flynn, our rector from 1998 until 2004.

A Tour of the Church

The lovely rose window above the archway of the main entrance was given as a memorial to Louise Gallion Aaron.

Beside the guest register in the narthex (entry) is a portrait of Maria de Peyster.

A tablet to her memory is mounted on the north wall.

The baptismal font was given by the women of the church in 1898. It is still used regularly; with only the inside bowl having been replaced.

The rest of the furnishings date from between 1878 and 1900, although the original organ was replaced many years ago.

The windows behind the altar are the original windows; their diamond panes with the fleur de lis design, a popular design of the time, are the same kind as those of Grace Church, St. Francisville. Originally there were leaded stained-glass windows in the side walls; when those deteriorated, they were replaced with colored Florentine glass; and then, in 1958, with the present stained-glass windows. These windows are memorials to the persons whose names are shown on the tablets on the windowsills. Windows on the north side of the building depict Christ’s miracles; those on the south, His parables.

The carved plaque on the south wall, a head of Christ, is a gift of a former rector in memory of his father. It is the work of the famous Lang family of Oberammeragau.

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