History of the Church Building
In the 1870s it was easily seen that the original church built of rough stone and extended greatly in wood was too small for the growing Trinity Parish.
Under the guidance of some worthy citizens of the Valley and Herston, a building fund was commenced for a new church - this one we worship in today.
The funds were not quite enough, and the original stone envisaged was brought back to brick and the structure designed by the architect FDG Stanley was shortened by one arched bay in length and built without the sanctuary as designed.
The foundation stone is buried in the east end and so not seen again.
The beloved and enthusiastic parish priest of 1877 when the church was built was Fr James Love, whose memorial tablet is high above the sacristy door, and reads:
The Parishioners hereby testify their
respect & affection for the memory of their late Pastor
REV'D JAMES LOVE
Born 20th Nov. 1829 Died 10th July 1881
This building will ever remind those who are now
living and those in time to come (who) will meet
within its walls of the many and great blessings
which God was pleased to bestow upon the Parish
through his ministrations.
"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord" Romans XII : 11
Fr Love gathered into the parish community many of the Scots and Irish migrants and built a large congregation, although never all too well off. The church was intended to hold a congregation of well over 400 people.
Work began in 1876 with a man and his dray clearing away what little top soil there was, all for the grand sum of thirteen shillings and sixpence ($1.35).
The builder was James Robinson, a forebear of one of our parishioners.
The slate roof was removed around 1920 and replaced with galvanized iron, the sanctuary was added for the diamond jubilee (and this stone can be seen in the outside east end wall).
The stone high altar was heightened in the late 1920s and meant also to be adorned with Christ upon the great cross with statues of St Mary and St John at the cross on the sconces beside the cross (perhaps a project or benefaction still to come).
The organ was taken down from the gallery in the 1920s and completely rebuilt in the 1960s.
The marble chapel altar (blessed sacrament) was erected in the 1950s in memory of Canon Watkin, Rector for thirty-two years.
Various items varying from the handsome brass lectern, beautiful windows, a large confessional, Walsingham shrine and other valued memorials have been added over the years and often commemorate the departed or are the gifts of benefactors.
The sanctuary was rearranged in the 1990s and there was then also a major makeover of the interior of the church. A new 'chancel' altar was commissioned and brought into use, it matching it surrounds in the rearrangement.
The church stands complete, a manifestation of the faith and commitment of many generations.