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.
