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Trinity Episcopal Church of Excelsior
A Brief History of Trinity Episcopal Church
Trinity Church began in 1853 when the early pioneers who founded Excelsior in 1853 began holding services in their homes. The services were conducted by the Rev, Jacob S. Chamberlain. By 1855, the communicants had a log church on St. Alban's Bay at Lake Minnetonka. In 1861 it was decided to build a new church, but the St. Alban's saw mill had burned down and most of the young men had gone off to join the Union army in the civil war. Across the bay in Excelsior, however, conditions were brighter, and so the construction of a new chapel in Excelsior was begun in 1862 and completed in 1864. It was consecrated by Bishop Whipple, the first Bishop of Minnesota, on Ascension Day in 1864.
The little mission parish had good times and bad through the rest of the 1800's. By the turn of the century, things looked brighter, and in the late twenties, Trinity had a new parish hall and had become a major part of Excelsior village life. It still had mission status, however, meaning that it was dependent upon the diocese for its support.
In 1940, after relying on the diocese for nearly 80 years, Trinity became an independent parish and a full-fledged member of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota. Plans for a new church building were discontinued during World War II, but in 1949 the Chapel was expanded to meet the needs of the growing parish.
A new and larger sanctuary for Trinity parish was consecrated in 1970 but the historic Chapel has remained an important part in the life of the parish. It is the only original church building standing in Excelsior and the oldest Episcopal church in Minnesota still in use. The latest building addition is the new Chamberlain Hall, named after Trinity's first and founding priest.
Through the years the people of Trinity have not only contributed to the life of the parish, but have been active leaders in the community and in the Diocese of Minnesota. Such a legacy will continue for generations to come.
Trinity Church began in 1853 when the early pioneers who founded Excelsior in 1853 began holding services in their homes. The services were conducted by the Rev, Jacob S. Chamberlain. By 1855, the communicants had a log church on St. Alban's Bay at Lake Minnetonka. In 1861 it was decided to build a new church, but the St. Alban's saw mill had burned down and most of the young men had gone off to join the Union army in the civil war. Across the bay in Excelsior, however, conditions were brighter, and so the construction of a new chapel in Excelsior was begun in 1862 and completed in 1864. It was consecrated by Bishop Whipple, the first Bishop of Minnesota, on Ascension Day in 1864.
The little mission parish had good times and bad through the rest of the 1800's. By the turn of the century, things looked brighter, and in the late twenties, Trinity had a new parish hall and had become a major part of Excelsior village life. It still had mission status, however, meaning that it was dependent upon the diocese for its support.
In 1940, after relying on the diocese for nearly 80 years, Trinity became an independent parish and a full-fledged member of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota. Plans for a new church building were discontinued during World War II, but in 1949 the Chapel was expanded to meet the needs of the growing parish.
A new and larger sanctuary for Trinity parish was consecrated in 1970 but the historic Chapel has remained an important part in the life of the parish. It is the only original church building standing in Excelsior and the oldest Episcopal church in Minnesota still in use. The latest building addition is the new Chamberlain Hall, named after Trinity's first and founding priest.
Through the years the people of Trinity have not only contributed to the life of the parish, but have been active leaders in the community and in the Diocese of Minnesota. Such a legacy will continue for generations to come.