Trinity Episcopal Church
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Trinity Episcopal, Tyrone, Pennsylvania
On Sunday, May 31, 2015 Trinity Sunday, Trinity Episcopal Church in Tyrone, PA celebrated its 130th anniversary. The exact date of its founding is unclear, but sometime in 1885, a small group of Episcopalians met at the home Henry Sholly to consider the formation of an Episcopal Church in Tyrone. After the Civil War, a mission known as St. Phillip's, sponsored by St. John's Church, Huntingdon, was undertaken. By 1885, this mission secured the services of a missionary priest named Kelly who agreed to hold services every two months.
In the early 1890's, the congregation was able to undertake the building of a permanent church. They purchased a lot on Washington Avenue and Ninth Street, and the corner stone was laid in 1894 with Masonic ceremony. The church was opened for worship on November 11, 1894.
The congregation was fortunate in that many of the officials sent to the area by the Pennsylvania Railroad were Episcopalians who gave generous support in the form of building materials and maintenance. The wooden interior of the church reflects their craftsmanship.
By 1906, the mission church was strong enough to support itself without the financial aid which the Diocese had been giving. Accordingly, members asked the convention of 1906 to admit them as a parish. This was done, and Trinity took its place among the self-supporting parishes of the then-Diocese of Harrisburg.
The building has remained substantially the same. A pipe organ was installed about 1905; the Wilson Memorial Parish House built in 1920; and an altar made of white sandstone in memory of Frank K. Troutwine was placed in 1930. Trinity Church maintains its historic Estey Pipe Organ (opus No. 3234), originally installed in 1956. Two years ago the parish added a handicapped accessible bathroom, and, within the past year a handicapped ramp was built to enable access to the main sanctuary.
Trinity Episcopal operates under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Central. Pennsylvania. Deacon-in-Residence Jack Hoffer provides clergy presence and leadership while supply clergy provide the weekly Eucharist. Father Vance Clark, retired, is Rector Emeritus.
Worship times
Volunteer opportunities
Tyrone Area Food Bank Church Volunteer Meals Group Paperbacks for Prisoners Little Dresses for Africa and Appalachia
Ministries
Tyrone Area Food Bank
Deacon Jack Hoffer is Director of the Tyrone Area Food Bank, our Rector Emeritus, Fr. Vance Clark founded the Tyrone Area Food Bank
Another member of Trinity serves on the Board of Directors
5-6 parishioners are monthly volunteers at the food bank and there is a continuous collection of food by the parish for the food bank with special participation at Thanksgiving and during the Souper-Bowl-of-Caring in February.
830 Washington Ave
Tyrone, PA 16686-0088
United States
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