Trinity Episcopal Church
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Trinity Episcopal Church building was designed by A. Page Brown in the Norman style and was modelled on Durham Cathedral in northeastern England. Completed in 1893 and constructed of Colusa sandstone over brick, reinforced with structural steel, the church managed to survive the Great Earthquake of 1906 without suffering any damage. The church hosted the 1901 Episcopal Church Convention that lasted for nineteen days, and the 58th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of California. This was the fourth building for the Trinity Episcopal congregation. Trinity merged with St. Peter's Episcopal congregation in 2012 and is now known as Trinity St. Peter's.
Images
Newspaper headlines and photo of Trinity Episcopal Church re: 1901 Episcopal Church Convention

1901 newspaper sketch of "Scene Inside Trinity Episcopal Church During the Impressive Morning Services" (Methfessel)

Newspaper photo of crowd outside the church in 1901 watching bishops' procession (inset)

Newspaper photos of key figures at 1908 state convention at Trinity Episcopal and church choir

Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Church is in the Episcopal tradition in the Diocese of California. Originally founded in 1849, it is the oldest Episcopal Church on the West Coast. The current building was erected on the corner of Bush and Gough Streets in San Francisco from 1892 to 1893. Architect A. Page Brown also later designed the famous San Francisco Ferry Building. Three memorial stained-glass windows were gifted to the church by Walter E. Dean, George Marye Jr., and George A. Pope. The subjects were: "Christ Blessing the Little Children," "The Resurrection," and "Sermon on the Mount." The massive stone building was officially inspected after the April 1906 earthquake and fires and was declared to be in "perfectly safe condition" and among "the most solid and perfect of the remaining buildings." Three services were held on Christmas morning 1906 by Reverend Clampett.
Trinity Episcopal was the scene of the Episcopal Church Convention in October 1901, a gathering of Episcopal bishops, clerical and lay deputies from across the country and representing the Church of England (see the newspaper images). This was the first time the event was held in San Francisco. Morning services were held in the church to celebrate the beginning of the convention, and crowds filled the street in front of the building to watch a procession of dozens of bishops. The sermon was preached by Bishop Morris of Oregon. Before the first day of meetings of the convention began inside the church later that afternoon, carpenters built a platform in front of the altar over the choir stalls. Poles holding cards were dotted across the church to mark the assigned seats for the delegations. One of the lay deputies from New York was millionaire J. Pierpont Morgan. Reverend J. F. Lindsay was elected the presiding officer. The convention lasted for nineteen days.
In January 1908, Trinity Episcopal hosted the 58th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of California, nearly two years after the devastating earthquake and fires decimated a third of the city. Highlights of the convention were the gift of $50,000 from an anonymous donor via A. N. Drown and the presentation of the deeds for the Cathedral block by William H. Crocker. The presiding holy man, Bishop William Ford Nichols, proposed that his $6,000 annual salary be reduced by $1,000; the measure failed. At the same time, the "opening of the house of churchwomen was held," where the president, Mrs. Kellogg spoke on the part women play "in home, church and society." Mrs. A. C. Kains' speech was on the "Girls' Friendly Society."
The congregation was surprised when associate pastor Reverend Fletcher Cook defended gambling and going to the theater in a January 1910 sermon. He declared "There is no wrong in taking a chance... I have gone to the racetrack with members of my congregation..." and played poker while in college. Rev. Cook stated that he went to the Orpheum Theater every week, and that one should select the right play to see, one that will not harm you mentally, spiritually, or physically, and never on a Sunday! Trinity offered Sunday services at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Trinity merged with St. Peter's Episcopal congregation in 2012 and is now known as Trinity St. Peter's. St. Peter's dates to 1867 and is the fifth oldest Episcopal congregation in San Francisco. While the main sanctuary was awaiting seismic renovations, St. Peter's Hall was used as the worship space; St. Peter's Hall is now used for small celebrations and receptions. A recent Pastor was Patricia (Trish) Cunningham, a Canadian who grew up in Southern California, Sydney, and the UK. She was set on her spiritual path as a child and has stayed with the church ever since.
Sources
Anonymous. "Episcopalian Church Convention: Many Prelates Participate in Solemn Service." San Francisco Call (San Francisco) October 3rd, 1901. 1, 5, 7.
Anonymous. "Holding Sessions in Trinity Church: Dr. Lindsay is Chairman." San Francisco Call (San Francisco) October 3rd, 1901. 5, 7.
Anonymous. "Religious Services to be Held To-day Throughout the City." San Francisco Call (San Francisco) May 27th, 1906. 21-21.
Anonymous. "Three Services at Trinity: Special Music is Feature of the Christmas Day Devotions." San Francisco Call (San Francisco) December 26th, 1906. 3-3.
Anonymous. "Righteousness in Civic Life is Plea." San Francisco Call (San Francisco) January 29th, 1908. 14-14.
Anonymous. "Gambling for Fun Defended by Clergyman." San Francisco Call (San Francisco) January 17th, 1910. 1-1.
Hopps, A. B. "Church Windows." San Francisco Call (San Francisco) April 10th, 1898. 33-33.
Todd, Frank Morton. The Chamber of Commerce Handbook for San Francisco. San Francisco, CA. San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, 1914.
Trinity St. Peter's Episcopal. About. Trinity St. Peter's. Accessed May 14th, 2017 and June 13th, 2025. http://www.trinity-stpeters.org/.
San Francisco Call, October 3rd, 1901, p. 1
San Francisco Call, October 3rd, 1901, p. 1
San Francisco Call, October 3rd, 1901, p. 5
San Francisco Call, January 29th, 1908, p. 14