Early in 1885, a small group of Episcopalians met to discuss the possibility of forming an Episcopal congregation in Tyrone. Since the settlement was favorable, a second meeting was held and Reverend Samuel P. Kelly, General Missionary for the Diocese, was contracted for the project. He agreed to give the project his full support but added that he would not be able to visit them more than once every two months.
At Reverend Kelly’s suggestion, they asked Reverend George Hall, Rector of St. John’s Huntingdon, if he would be willing to add the care of this new mission to his parish duties. Reverend Hall agreed to travel to Tyrone on the evening train each Sunday and conduct the service of evening prayer. On the first Sunday in June 1885, the first service was held in rooms furnished by the YMCA, and “Trinity Mission” was founded.
Building on Washington Avenue, 1894
During the first twelve years, the mission was served by the rector of Huntingdon, as well as faithful lay leaders. The congregation continued to grow and they moved their services to a larger area located in the Odd Fellows Hall on Pennsylvania Avenue. In 1894, the congregation purchased a lot on Washington Avenue near Ninth Street, and broke ground for their church.
A Pennsylvania Railroad architect drew the plans for the church at no charge. Other railroad officials were able to secure building materials at a greatly reduced cost. Mr. Richard Beaston, purchasing agent for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper mill in Tyrone, secured and donated wood for the interior and sent men to provide the labor. The church was built along Scandinavian Gothic lines and finished with natural chestnut wood. It must be noted that most of the chestnut came from “retired” Pennsylvania Railroad box cars.
In 1906 the congregation applied to the Blair County Courts for a parish charter. It was during the Episcopalian convention of 1907 that Trinity was welcomed among the incorporated parishes.
The Wilson parish hall and the Indiana limestone altar
In 1920 George C. Wilson, one of Trinity’s major benefactors, had a parish hall built attached to the church. The hall was built in memory of his mother and known as the Wilson Memorial Parish House. The new parish house contained a stage, auditorium, classrooms, kitchen, and an office for the rector.
In 1930, a beautiful altar of Indiana Limestone was installed, along with a magnificent stained-glass window dedicated in memory of Frank K. Troutwine by his family. Over the altar is a unique stained glass “Trinity window” designed and donated by artist Andrew Moore. Many improvements have been made over the years. During the 1936 flood, the building sustained damage to the altar which required repair. The kneeling pads were replaced and dedicated in memory of Marie C. Snyder by her family.
The 1956 Estey pipe organ
The present Estey Pipe Organ was installed in August 1956. Under the capable leadership of rector Donald M. Whitesel, Trinity Church commissioned the Estey Pipe Organ Company of Brattleboro, Vermont, to build a two-keyboard organ. The organ contains 776 pipes and is divided into 13 ranks or rows. It is believed that long-time Tyrone organist Clarence Black (grandfather of Charles, Donald, and Brian Bressler) and Pittsburgh organ architect Arthur Kennedy designed the organ stop list to conform to the Gothic Trinity Sanctuary’s natural chestnut walls. Records show that it cost $212 to transport the organ from Vermont to Tyrone by way of tractor trailer. Microfilms provided by The Tyrone Daily Herald showed that Tyrone Episcopal organist James Young inaugurated the completed Estey Pipe Organ at two services on August 12, 1956, by providing a brief recital before each service. Finally, on Tuesday evening, October 10, 1956, Alfred Mudrich, organist from the Altoona Campus of The Pennsylvania State University, presented an organ recital of serious, classical music. Over the years the church organists have included: Carrie Prosser, Clarence Black, James Young, Franklin Williams, Kathy Gunsallus, Richard Merryman, David Hopkins, and Sally Cupp.
Although the Trinity Church congregation has never been enormous, a number of outstanding laymen, community leaders, and parishioners have kept this beautiful church going all through the depression years and beyond. This list includes: Preston Moulton (headmaster of the Birmingham School for Girls), Fran Lukenbach, Harry Fernau, Tom Grier, Florence Beaston, Robert Garman, Sam Barr, and Ralph Wolfgang.
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