Title: Trinity Episcopal Church (River Falls, Wis.) Records
Inclusive Dates: 1858-1976

Creator:

• Trinity Episcopal Church (River Falls, Wis.)

Call Number: River Falls Mss BW; PH River Falls Mss BW; PH River Falls Mss BW (3)

Quantity: 1.6 c.f. (3 archives boxes and 1 flat box), 5 photographs, and 1 drawing

Repository:

Housed at the University Archives and Area Research Center, Chalmer Davee Library, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, ; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-River Falls, Chalmer Davee Library / River Falls Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Records, primarily dated 1950-1974, of the Trinity Episcopal Church including a history; sacramental records; financial records; Women's Guild records; publications, reports, minutes, and other records concerning the Diocese of Eau Claire; and information on the campus ministry and on mission churches at Prescott and Ellsworth. The photographs and oversize drawing depict successive church buildings.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-rf00bw

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For administrative purposes the Protestant Episcopal Church in America is divided into provinces which are subdivided into dioceses and in turn into parishes or missions. Trinity Episcopal Church in River Falls, Wisconsin belongs to the 5th (Midwest) Province, and was in the Diocese of Wisconsin until 1874. Diocesan subdivision placed it in the Diocese of Milwaukee until 1928, and after that in the Diocese of Eau Claire.

Episcopal activity began in the area of River Falls with three seminary volunteers in 1841. By 1842 they had founded Nashotah House in southeast Wisconsin which later provided many clergymen for the parish. The first recorded Episcopal service in River Falls was conducted Feb. 26, 1858, by Rev. John Williamson in the schoolhouse. On December 19, 1859, Episcopal residents of the town met at the home of R. Bowron to formally organize a church. Unanimously, they named it “Trinity.” Until 1865, however, there was little evidence of regular services.

In 1871 church members purchased a lot on the west side of town, broke ground in June, laid the cornerstone in August, and by March 31 of the next year held first services on Easter Sunday in the new church. Over the years, services continued with visiting ministers who encouraged attendance with “free seats for all,” an obvious departure from the traditional sale of pews. Rev. C. A. Carey organized a Sunday School and, in 1875, the first forerunner of the Trinity [Women's] Guild, called Episcopal Sociables. By 1882 another Guild forerunner, the Ladies Aid Society, was introduced, and the first of many Harvest Home Services was held. In general the first twenty years of the church's history were sporadic with periods of growth and decline attributable in part to the absence of resident priests.

In May, 1888, the Trinity Guild was formed under the pastorate of T. Cory-Thomas and the women's group was the driving force in sustained church activity thereafter. That same year a rectory was built, the interior of the church renovated, and an east porch added.

The church growth continued to parallel the increasing prosperity of the town since many of its members were business leaders in the community. By 1918, a reversal trend ensued. The church was badly damaged by fire that year, and controversy over building plans split the parish. On April 1, 1920, the old church building and lot were sold with the approval of Bishop William Walter Webb. In 1921 property was purchased next to the Congregational Church for a building site. On Sept. 13, 1924, the cornerstone was laid and the first service held Nov. 23, 1924. By July 1936, the church, free of debt largely due to Guild fundraising activities, was consecrated. Membership stood at 42, but a period of steady growth began with members returning as the parish controversy ended.

In 1954 the church had its first resident pastor in more than 40 years in the person of George G. Greenway. Bishop William Wallace Horstich purchased a rectory for the parish which was replaced in 1965 by the present vicarage. Both traditional and new activities continue under increasingly stable conditions. Membership remains small but active. Trinity church marked its contribution to the nation's bicentennial with a published history written by Douglas L. Patin.

• Albright, Raymond W.Protestant Episcopal Church , New York, 1964
• Beeman, W. L.An Illustrated Souvenir of River Falls, Wisconsin , River Falls, 1900
• Inventory of Church Archives of Wisconsin. Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America , Diocese of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Historical Records Survey, Madison, 1941
• Manross, William W.History of the American Episcopal Church , New York, 1959
• Patin, Douglas L.History of Trinity Episcopal Church, River Falls,1859-1975 , River Falls, 1976

The records date from 1858 to 1976 and are almost evenly divided between papers relating to the Diocese of Eau Claire and those relating to the church. These papers contain correspondence, organizational and financial records, parishioner lists, reports, and publications. The bulk of the records fall between 1950 and 1974. The records document the involvement of the diocese in campus ministry work, social action, and traditional parish ministry. Likewise, the history of Trinity church is documented to show the problems, membership growth, and perseverance of the parish, its financial records, and those of two mission churches for which its priest was responsible, and lastly, the role of church women in giving continuity to the life of the church. There is relatively little correspondence save in the organizational years of the church and again in 1952-1970. There are letters from Bishops Isaac Lee Nicholson, William Walter Webb, William Wallace Horstich and Stanley Atkins.

The records are grouped in seven series: Records Relating to the Diocese of Eau Claire; Publications Relating to the Diocese; Financial Records Relating to the Diocese; Records Relating to the “Bicentennial” History of Trinity Church; Records Relating to the Organization and Functions of Trinity Church; Records Relating to Parishioners of Trinity Church; and Records Relating to Finances of Trinity Church.

THE RECORDS RELATING TO THE DIOCESE OF EAU CLAIRE contain legal documents, correspondence, and reports of organizations. The correspondence is scattered and not of great significance. Reports are from the parish level to the national with emphasis on work in Wisconsin. The Minutes document meetings of three diocesan groups. Parish History Materials demonstrate the ten year preparation for the nation's bicentennial. The records of Campus Ministry document the evolvement of the work into a full-blown ecumenical program.

The PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO THE DIOCESE OF EAU CLAIRE are fragmented with some copies of diocesan journals and church histories, and miscellaneous materials and programs.

The FINANCIAL RECORDS RELATING TO THE DIOCESE OF EAU CLAIRE contain budget related materials mostly from 1964-1972, and an audit for 1968.

RECORDS RELATING TO THE “BICENTENNIAL” HISTORY OF TRINITY CHURCH contain a typescript copy of the history, research notes, and images of the congregation's church buildings. This History of Trinity Episcopal Church, 1859-1975 by Douglas L. Patin was published and may be found in the library of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison.

RECORDS RELATING TO THE ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS OF TRINITY CHURCH include organizational and legal papers such as deeds and abstracts and scattered letters relating to them. Correspondence and miscellaneous papers are mainly those since 1950. The activities of the women's groups date mostly after 1954.

RECORDS RELATING TO PARISHIONERS OF TRINITY CHURCH include sacramental records with names, dates, and witnesses where appropriate. An index of parish names and other census data are contained in miscellaneous records. While some groups are incomplete, others date from the 1850's to the 1970's.

RECORDS RELATING TO THE FINANCES OF TRINITY CHURCH include budget related materials mostly from 1950-1972, with a few from the 1930's. The journals and ledgers are limited to the decade of 1960. Miscellaneous papers include reports, statements, and parishioner pledge cards. These papers are fragmentary over a short period. The file of Mission Church finances contains proposed budgets, annual reports to the bishop, and miscellaneous papers of Calvary Church, Prescott and St. John's Church, Ellsworth. These cover the period 1955-1969 only.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Rev. Arthur G. Moody, River Falls, Wis., November 1974 and July 1977. Accession Number: M74-597, M77-333

Processing Information

Processed by S. Annette Gallagher (FGH Intern) and Joanne Hohler, July 1978.

	Series: Records Relating to Diocese of Eau Claire
	Legal Documents, Correspondence, and Reports of Organizations, 1959-1972
Box   1 Folder   1	Constitutions and Canons of Diocese of Eau Claire, 1959
Box   1 Folder   1	Proposed Changes in Canons, undated and 1967
Box   1 Folder   1	Constitution and By-Laws of Episcopal Men, circa 1952
Box   1 Folder   1	Rules of Order and Delegate Lists to Diocesan Council, 1966, 1968, 1969
Box   1 Folder   1	Programs, 29th Annual Council of Episcopal Women of Diocese, April 1957
Box   1 Folder   1	Project Equality, Proposal and Articles of Incorporation and ByLaws, 1970
Box   1 Folder   1	Project Equality News Release and Chairman's letter to Bishop Stanley Atkins, Feb. 9, 1970
Box   1 Folder   1	Periodical Club Correspondence, 1966 and undated
Box   1 Folder   1	Memos from Wisconsin Council of Churches, 1970
Box   1 Folder   1	Biographical Sketches of Priests, 1969
Box   1 Folder   1	Report of Commission on Social Responsibility
Box   1 Folder   1	Investments to Executive Council of 64th General Convention, Sept. 1963
Box   1 Folder   1	Miscellaneous Printed Materials
	Minutes, 1967-1972
Box   1 Folder   2	Board of Directors of the Diocese, 1967-1972
Box   1 Folder   2	Clergy Conferences, Jan. 24, May 23, 1969
Box   1 Folder   2	Bishop's Committee, 1967
	Parish History Materials, 1966-1976
Box   1 Folder   3	Completed Questionnaires from Diocesan Clergy, 1966
Box   1 Folder   3	Short History of Trinity Church, undated
Box   1 Folder   3	Letter From Diocesan Historiographer, circa 1970
Box   1 Folder   3	Agenda for Deanery Meeting on Writing of Church History, May 1976, with Notes of Speaker
	Campus Ministry, 1957-1969
Box   1 Folder   4	Agenda, College Conference Meetings, 1957-1965
Box   1 Folder   4	Annual Reports, College Division Christian Education, 1957-1968
Box   1 Folder   5	Directory of College Work in Diocese, 1963
Box   1 Folder   5	Study of College Work, Province 5, 1959
Box   1 Folder   5	Reports of College Work Departments at Province 5 Meeting of Commission on College Work, 1966
Box   1 Folder   5	Midwest Province Newsletter, Nov. 1967
Box   1 Folder   5	Budgets of Province 5, 1966-1969
Box   1 Folder   6	Correspondence Regarding College Work Salary Grants, 1958-1967
Box   1 Folder   6	Applications to National Commission on College Work for Salary Grants, 1964-1969
Box   1 Folder   7	Resolution on Ecumenicity in College and University Ministry by Executive Council, 1965
Box   1 Folder   7	Reports on Campus Ministries, National Council of Churches of Christ, 1966
Box   1 Folder   7	Trends in Campus Ministry, Sept. 1966
Box   1 Folder   7	Agenda and Minutes, Ecumenical Strategy Committee for Campus Ministry in Wisconsin, May-Sept. 1967
Box   1 Folder   7	Constitution United Ministries in Higher Education in Wisconsin, 1969
Box   1 Folder   8	Wisconsin Campus Ministry Study, 1967
Box   1 Folder   8	Constitution and By-Laws, United Campus Ministry of Wisconsin State University, River Falls, undated
Box   1 Folder   8	Miscellaneous Materials Including Lists of Students and Members of Council of Campus Clergy, 1966-1968
	Series: Publications Relating to Diocese of Eau Claire	⇧
	Diocesan Journals and Church Histories, 1958-1966
Box   1 Folder   9	Journal of Diocese of Eau Claire, 1961, 1962, 1966
Box   1 Folder   9	History of Christ Church Cathedral, 1858-1958
Box   1 Folder   9	Fifty Years at St. Katherine's Church, Owen, Wisconsin, 1916-1966
Box   1 Folder   10	Miscellaneous Materials and Programs, 1954-1966
	Series: Financial Records Relating to Diocese of Eau Claire	⇧
Box   1 Folder   11	Budget Related Materials, [1947-1948], 1964-1972
Box   1 Folder   11	Proposed Missionary Budgets, 1964-1966, circa 1968
Box   1 Folder   11	Proposed Diocesan Budgets with Special Fund Reports and Supporting Papers, 1965-1972
Box   1 Folder   11	Proposed Clergy Salary and Car Allowance, 1970
Box   1 Folder   11	Consolidated Balance Sheet, 1971, 1972
Box   1 Folder   12	Audit of Diocese Financial Statements, Aug. 1968
	Series: Records Relating to “Bicentennial” History of Trinity Church	⇧
Box   2 Folder   1	Typescript Copy of History of Trinity Episcopal Church, River Falls, Wisconsin, 1859-1975 by Douglas L. Patin, 1976
	Research Notes, circa 1975
Box   2 Folder   2	Handwritten Notes by Topics Including River Falls Journal Material, circa 1975
Box   2 Folder   3	Notes from Interviews and Related Correspondence Mostly with Former Rectors, 1975
PH River Falls Mss BW	Photographs of church buildings
PH River Falls Mss BW (3)	Drawing of church building
River Falls Mss BW	Series: Records Relating to Organization and Functions of Trinity Church	⇧
	Organizational and Legal Papers, 1871-1948
Box   2 Folder   4	Deeds, Mortgages, Abstracts of Title to Church Property, Cemetery Endowment with Related Correspondence including letters from Bishops Nicholson and Webb, 1871-1948
	Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers, 1952-1970
Box   2 Folder   5	General Incoming Correspondence, 1952-1970
Box   2 Folder   6	Monthly Reports to Bishop, 1969-1970
Box   2 Folder   6	Blank Forms for Varied Reports to Bishop, 1968
Box   2 Folder   7	Miscellaneous Papers, 1964-1970
	Trinity Episcopal Women's Papers, 1954-1970
Box   2 Folder   8	General Incoming Correspondence, 1962-1970
Box   2 Folder   9	Guild Minutes, [1953], 1954-1967
Box   2 Folder   9	Directories, 1966-1968
	Series: Records Relating to Parishioners of Trinity Church	⇧
	Sacramental Records, 1858-1974
Box   3 Folder   1	Baptisms, 1858-1974
Box   3 Folder   2	Confirmations, 1865-1974
Box   3 Folder   3	Marriages, 1908-1970
Box   3 Folder   4	Burials, 1872-1971
	Miscellaneous Records, 1858-1974
Box   3 Folder   5	Index of Parish Members, undated
Box   3 Folder   6	Census Data Sheets, 1940
Box   3 Folder   7	Lists of Communicants with Varied Information Including Transfer, 1924-1974
	Series: Records Relating to Finances of Trinity Church	⇧
	Budget Related Materials, 1930-1972
Box   3 Folder   8	Budgets, 1950-1971
Box   3 Folder   9	Annual Reports of Treasurer, 1930-1935, 1950-1952, 1966-1972
Box   3 Folder   9	Annual Reports of Church School, 1958-1962
Box   3 Folder   10	Property Appraisal Inventory, 1956, 1960
	Journals and Ledgers, 1961-1970
Box   4 Folder   1	Quarterly Reports with Annual Summaries, 1966, 1967
Box   4 Folder   2	Parish Cash Book [Ledger], 1961-1970
Box   3 Folder   11	Miscellaneous Reports, Statements, Pledge Cards, 1950-1972
	Mission Church Finances, 1955-1969
Box   3 Folder   12	Calvary Church, Prescott, 1955-1968
Box   3 Folder   13	St. John's Church, Ellsworth, 1956-1969