About Us
Trinity Parish is a faith community where we welcome all people, welcome questions, and walk together in love. As Episcopalians, we blend ancient traditions of worship with contemporary language and social justice concerns. Trinity’s core values are
Diversity and Inclusion - Our Trinity community includes people from many different social and economic backgrounds and faith traditions, and from nearly every corner of the globe. Trinity is an open and affirming congregation, meaning that LGBTQIA+ siblings are a seamless part of our community and leadership.
Community - We care for one another as family, sharing joys and sorrows, and uplifting one another in prayer. We nurture our community by sharing meals and coffee hour, and learning and volunteering together.
Engaging our Neighbors - Trinity seeks to be a good neighbor by learning about our immediate neighbors and working together to create a safer, more beautiful place to live in our city. All neighbors are welcome at Trinity, no matter your age, gender identity, race, housing status, marital or family status, ability, or socio-economic status.
Sacred Place, Holy Space - We believe that all creation is sacred. As a Greening Congregation, we care for our planet, all creatures and people. Through worship in its historic sanctuary, Trinity provides a place for all people to find peace, acceptance, and hope. We welcome people of all beliefs and no beliefs to encounter the holy in our space.
At Trinity, we seek through worship, learning, and service to become the beloved community that is God’s vision of justice, peace, and love.
HISTORY
Established in 1865, Trinity is the oldest Episcopal church in Seattle. Our rich history is only the beginning – we are an active parish community that continues to be a place of spiritual vitality and engagement in the heart of the Downtown and First Hill communities.
Trinity is known as a place of beauty architecturally, liturgically, and through outstanding visual and musical arts programs. Designed by John Graham Sr., the sanctuary was built in 1892 and restored in 1903 post-fire and again in 2005 post-earthquake. The sanctuary features stained glass by renowned artist Franz B. Mayer of Munich. Trinity was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Trinity Parish House, built in 1930, was also designed by Graham.
In 1909, Trinity’s 2nd Rector, the Rev. Herbert Gowan, presided at a “mixed-race marriage” and Trinity became known as a place of welcome for all people. For more than 100 years, Trinity has been a place of radical inclusion and justice for people from all walks of life. We believe that every person is uniquely and beautifully created in the image of God, and everyone is welcome here.
From its inception, providing for the basic needs of our neighbors has been part of Trinity’s mission and ministry. When Trinity purchased the property at 8th Ave & James St in 1885, the first building on the site was Grace Hospital. For nearly 10 years, Grace provided a healthcare alternative to the Sisters of Providence hospital. Over the years, Trinity has provided space for ministries to homeless veterans, basketball leagues for neighborhood youth, offices for social workers and refugee services, meeting space for mission congregations and nonprofit performing arts groups, and overnight shelter space.
For 80 years (1944-2024), Trinity Thrift Shop provided gently used clothing, household items, and gentle kindness to neighbors. The Thrift Shop was a joint ministry with Seattle First Baptist Church from 1984-2024. Northwest Harvest began as a small food bank in Trinity’s basement in the early 1970s, growing steadily into a statewide agency, and moving out to bigger quarters in 2019. In the 2010s, Trinity began hosting a low-barrier night-time only shelter for up to 75 women. With the pandemic lockdown in 2020, that shelter became a full-time part of Trinity’s community. At least once a month, Trinity welcomes all hungry neighbors and community members to share a hot meal.
Trinity’s red doors symbolize the welcome and hospitality that are Trinity’s core values. We look forward to meeting you.
For more history, check out this article.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
We are rooted in Christian heritage and celebrate our connection with our siblings in all times and places. Our way of worship reflects an appreciation of ritual and wonder.
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The Episcopal Church formed in the 18th century, when our nation was born, and is part of the larger Anglican Communion of churches throughout the world, emerging from the reformation in the 16th century. Our worship and prayer practices, especially the weekly celebration of Communion (called the Eucharist) are rooted in Christian practice from the earliest days of our faith, and throughout Christian history as reflected in our Book of Common Prayer. We are part of a regional group of Episcopal Churches in Western Washington known as the Diocese of Olympia, under the leadership of Bishop Phil LaBelle.
CLERGY & STAFF
Click on the photos or names below for more information
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THE REV'D
SABETH FITZGIBBONS
Rector
DAVID LEPSE
Sexton
KRISTY MESSLER
Parish Administrator
MARKDAVIN OBENZA
Director of Music
Communications and Social Media
RUTH SCHAUBLE
Rental Coordinator
VESTRY
2024 Vestry Members
Mary Johnstone, Senior Warden
Betsy Severtsen, Junior Warden
Richard Greene, Treasurer
Robert Foley
Noel Gilbrough
Bill Harmon
Hillary St. John
Sally Sundar
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The Rev'd Sabeth FItzgibbons, Rector