* NHLMSTATE,

Rhode IslandCOUNTY:

Newport

FOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATE

JAME . . .

COMMON;

Trinity Church

AND/OR HISTORIC:

Trinity Church

ft9iOCATION .. .:: ::.;* c:::::. .: V...

STREET ANO NUMBER;

141 Church Street at Spring StreetCITY OR TOWN:

Newport 1st Congressional DistrictSTATE CODE COUNTY:

Rhode Island 44

________________________

fCLASSIFICATION -

CATEGORYCheck One

OWNERSHIP.

STATUSACCESSIBLE

TO THE PUBLIC

C District Building

C Site C Structure

C Object

C Public Public Acquisition:

g Private C In Process

C Both . C Being ConsideredC Unoccupied

o Preservation workin progress

Yes:Restricted

C Unrestricted

C No

PRESENT USE Check One or More as Appropriate

C Agricultural C Government C Park C Transportation C Comments

C Commercial C lndustrtal C Private Residence C Other Speci&

C Educotional C Military Religious

C Entertainment C Museum C Scientilic

C WNER OF PROPERTYOWNERS NAME:

Episcopal Church

01

*.

"ISTREET AND NUMBER:

27 Church Street . l1

2JCITY OR TOWN: STATE: CODE

9!L__..£IILOATION_OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION

Rhode Island his °

COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS. ETC:

Newport City HallSTREET AND NUMBER:

Washington_Square

_______________________ _____

CITY OR TOWN:

Newport

I

Form 10-300July 1969

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERyICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC’PLACES

UNAT [GNAT inc *NTORY P’IOMINATION FORM

Tytp all entries - completeapplicable sections

N awnOtt

CODE

005

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STATE

Rhode Island

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44ESE1I, noN lN’EXISTING SuRVEYS

TITLE OFSURVEY:Hj5tOric Atherican Building Surveyphotocopies of 3 1936 anda pre 1925 measured drawings,HABS form 1959 and B data pages 1972.DATE OF SURVEY:1936,1959, 1972 . Federol C State C County C LocalBEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS:

Library of Congress/AnnexSTREET AND NUMBER:

Division of Prints and PhotographsCITY OR TOWN: . STATE: . CODE

Washington D.C. *-* 011

U0Cz-I‘C

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PWCv$*ICheck One

Excellent fl Good D Foij 0 Deteri&aled 0 ‘uini D UnexposedCONDITION

Check o7" ‘v ‘‘ T[TT’TTT7chckOneT% Altered 0 Unaltered fl Moved Originol Site

DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL if known PHySICAL APPEARANCE

Trinity Church, Newport is a two story rectangular frame and clapboardbuilding with gable ends and a low pitched roof. Two rows of round-

headedwiñdows run’ along the north and south sides and a larger arched-windowf’siiiiilar ‘form marks the-cential navé"on the eastern end. Thesteeple on the western end is formed by a tall square wooden towertopped by a narrow modillioned cornice. From this rises an arcadedbelfry framed by Doric pilasters with a’modillioned cornice andtriglyph frieze, a lantern with round-headed windows framed by tonic

* pilastérs áupporting another cornice and plain architrave, and a slendespire. Tall slender cones, similar in form to the spire, rest at thecorners of the first stage. The second and third stages are markedby urns, diminishing in size to cotrespond to the graduation of thesteeple sections. - .

IllAlthough it lacks the variety of forms found at The. FirstHBaptist

rn‘Meeting House in Providence, which is about forty years later, thesteeple at Trinity has a soaring graceful form achieved by the slender, -

almost delicate proportions of its parts. The tower itself is some- zwhat awkward in the spacing of its openings which are unrelated byproportion, spacing, or architectural features, such as the use of astringcourse on the tower at Old North.

The entrances on the north are framed by fluted pilasters on pedestals C

which support a segmental arch with a semicircular depression. Thisnaive divergence from classical ‘forms almost s if a drawing in apattern book had been misunderstood, provides a provincial freshness -

to the building, suited to the regional wooden construction.

The buildingS,’ including the steeple was designed in 1725, .biit’thesteeple spirewas not constructed until 1741. In 1768 the first topwas blown down and replaced in its original form. It is thereforeearlier than Old North, its model, which was redone bk Buif inch in1807. The only other major structural alteration occured in 1762 whenthe building was lenthened by two bays.

The interior also bears a close resemblance to Old North, Boston. TiteThese two buildings are the only Colonial churches which use superimposed piers tb’support the balcony and ceiling, rather than the one -

large order. This feature relates the design to Wren’s St. StephensRolborn and St. Andrews Wardrobe. In both churches these pier arepaneled below and, flutted on the second level. , Trinity, however,differs in ceiliñ constructioil.1 The ‘lateral ‘cross yaults of the aisle

‘bays are lifted to the level of the’main vault; thus forming a systemof quasi-groin vaults over the nave. This creates a uniting lateralsweep which gives reposeful dignity to the austere simplicity of theInterior. - The effect is heightened by the large arched window, setwithin a deep arched plaster reveal i1i the wall which forms a framefor the altar and pulpit. -,

Porn. lO-300o UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

JvIy 1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC-PLACES COUNTY

Newport* INVENTORY . NOM!NA.TION FORM

FOR NPS USE ONLY

______

- . -.. ENTRY NUMflCR ‘f"DATE

- ContinuationSheet

Ncm’be, all entrlo.

7. Description: 1 * Trinity Church

There are also a few seventeenth-century overtones in the raised paneling forthe gallery breasts and the Jacobean "Union Jack’T paneling-under the warder’spew. This design was a favorite of Munday’s who repeated it in the balcony‘of the Colony House and the Sabatarian Meeting House.

The great, triple-decked wineglass pulpit in its original center aisle position is a unique survival of a typical colonial form. The massive soundingboard over the pulpit and the iron-work are fine examples of colonial craftsmanship. - -

The chancel table, made in England in 1680, is the original altar of thechurch. Trinity also possessesthe second chalice and paten sent to theColonies by the London Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in ForeignParts SPG ; this set has been in continuous use since 1702. There is also a-bell, the gift of Queen Anne in 1702, and the original casework and a fewpipes of the Bridge organ given by Bishop Berkeley. The royal crown andBishop’s mitre which ornamented it fortunately survived the Revolutionary War.Flemish brass chandelierswere first hung in 1728 and the painted altarpiecewas a gift from the SPG in 1733. The high backed box pews are also a raresurvival of the original. Trinity is one of the few early American churcheswhich has never required restoration. - -

Boundary

Trinity Church is located on a long narrow block closely surrounded by otherchurch buildings, period houses and warehouses. The landmark boundary hasbeen drawn to exclude all but the church itself in the landmark designation,beginning at the northeast corner at the intersection of Spring and ChurchStreets, continuing south along the west curb of Spring Street to FrankStreet, then west along the north curb of Frank Street to a point in linewith the hedge at the rear of cemetery, then north along’ this hedge to ChurchStreet, then east along the south curb of Church Street to the point ofbeginning as shown in green on the sketch map.

GPO 92$724

-:v--

PERIOD Check One or More as Appropriate

fl Pre-Columbion 0 16th Century 18th Century 0 20th Century

o 15th Century 0 17th Century - 0 19th Century -

SPECIFIC DATES iApplcohfe andKnown 172c-26, 1768AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE Check One or More as Appropriate

Aboriginal 0 Education C Political - 0 Urban Planning

C Prehistor,c D Engineering- C Religion/Phi. C Other Specify

0 Histdric 0 Industry losophy -

Agriculture C Invention C Science

________________________

Architecture C Landscape C Sculpture -

Q Art Architecture C Social/Human. -

Commerce C Literoture itarian

________________________

o Communications o Military C Theater

________________________

C Conservation o Music 0 Transportation

________________________

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFtcANcE

Trinity Church, Newport, was begun in 1725 by Richard Nunday, a localcraftsman who also was responsible for the Colony House, Newport,

in another national historic landmark. Very similar in design to Old Northz Christ Church Boston, it seems likely-that William Price,a Bostono print dealer and one of the founders of Trinity, as well as the- designer of Old North, obtained the plans. This would explain the close

relationship to the Boston church. Both churches are closely relatedto the designs of Sir Christopher Wren for his-London Churches, mdi- -U cating access to his plans which Price might have had. The elegantclassical correctness of the spire contrasts with the curious segmentalpediments broken at the top by inverted semicircles over the easterndoors and the awkward proportions of the tower Openings, giving an -

unorthodox yet distinctive characier to one of the most beautiful ofcolonial churches. Trinity is also one of the very few church buildingswhich retains its original interior furnishings- and has never required

- restoration. With its steeple and interior intact, Trinity remains arare survival and important example of Georgian church design in the’ - -

American colonies. - -

-

- HISTORY

The present Trinity Church was erected in 1725-26 by Newport’s mastercarpenter, Richard Munday, designer of the Colony House and some of thefiner private houses of the period. Both the interior and the steepleof Trinity are considered to be more closely related to Wren’s London -

churches thanany other Colonial building with the exception of OldNorth. Old North in Boston had been begun two years-earlier fromessentially the same plans. Both are associated with William Price,a Boston print dealer, who could have had access to prints or plans ofWren’s churches.- - .

--Wren designed over-fifty-two churches for London after the Great Fireof 1666 and these had an unmistakable effect on all subsequent churchdesign. -

The London Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Partswas founded in 1701 and they are known to h4ve commissioned the architectto draw plans for several churches proposed to beèrécted in the Colonies.

Porn, 1O-JOOo UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE. INTERIOR STATE -- - -

July 1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - - Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY - -

- ,- NewportINVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM - -

. .- - FOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATE- - Continuation Sheet

Number alt entries -

8. Significance second page

Since none of these plans have beenfound it is speculation to linkTrinity or Old North directly to them, but they are specificallyrelated to Wrents designs in general and particular comparisons canbe made to his churches. The spire for example relates to St. LawrenceJewy and the use of superimposedpiers on the interior, used nowhereelse in Colonial church building, related to St. Stephens Holbron andSt. Andrews Wardrobe.

The spire, designed in 1726, was not actually constructed until 1741.In 1768, when it was found to be defective it was taken down andrebuilt to follow the original design. In 1762, the church waslengthened two bays 30 feet by dividing the building in half,moving back the rear portion and joining the sections with matchingfabric. -

The church still possesses the original altar table, a bell sent byQueen Anne to the parish in 1702 and an organ given by Dean Berkeleyin 1733. The building has been in continuous service since 1726 andstill maintains an active parish today.

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Church

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MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCESDowning, Antoninette F., Early Homes-of.RhodeIsland Richmond, Va., 1937.. and Scully, Vincent J. Jr., The-Architectural Heritage of Newport,

- Rhode Island, 1640-1915, -New-York, -1967. - - --

-- Marlowe, George F., Churches-of Old New England New York, 1947., - -- Morrison, Hugh, Early American Architecture,-New York, 1952. - -

- Pierson, William H. Jr., American Buildings-and-Their Architects: The Coloria’land Neo-Classical Styles, Garden City, N.Y., 1970. -

Place, Charles A., "From Meeting House of Church in New England," Old TimeNew England, Vol XIII, No 4. April, 1923- I

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA -- - - -______ -

0LATITUDE AND LONaITUDE COORDINATES

DEFINING, A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY

CORNER - LATITUDE LONGITUDEI

LATITUDE AND LONGI TUDE COOROINA TEa

DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTYOF LESS THAN TEN ACRES

LATITUDE LONGI TUDE

Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes SecandsNW ° -

. 0 0 0 5

NESE

0 .

°

.

..

0.

o . -

jl9.30682Q.45952o .

SW ° 0

APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: 2 acrç___ -

LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIEt

STA TE:

STATE:

STATE: -

ru. FORM PREPARED BY -

CDUN TV

NAME AND TITitriciaeintziman, architectural historian, Landmark Review

ltoiectDATE --ORGANIZATION

l’10/75Historic Sites Suney’ - -STREET AND NUMBER:

1100 L. Street, LW. - -

CITY OR TOWN: -

WashingtonSTATE - - CODE

11D.C.

_STATE_LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICA1 ION - NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION

As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na

tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Public Law

89-665. 1 hereby nominate this property for inclusion

in the National Register and certify that it has been

evaluated according to the criteria and proce&res Set

forth by the National ParkService. - The recommended

level of significance of this nomination is: -

National C State C Local. C

- BATIOMAL HISTORIC

Name LANDMARKS -

I hereby certify that this property is included in the

National Register.

- JJVIONAtA

- I Dczignc: Ih-2-..z’,Chief, Office of Archeoloaijand Historic Pr esyvatiotij

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[NATIONAL HI STOfl-- LANOM’PKS

- Date

14058

TRINITY CHURCHUSGS 7.5’ Series, Newport

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.5 Tygieall entries - attach to or enclosewith mapZ M!-.:- -J -o COMMON: Trinit Church- AND/OR. HISTORIC:

o T4N%jçJMBR:

at Spring-CI TV OR TOWN

Newport_ ISTATE:

Rhode IslandIn

‘SOURCE:

- sketch map drawn on site by Patricia Heintzelman,CALE: unscaledATE: 1974

IN C L DED ON AL AI’’’ ______._

1. Property broundaries where r.,...i.J

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

PROPERTY MAP FORM

Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith map

COMMON: TrinityAND/OR HISTORIC

TREy41Nc?thR:Street at Spring Street

CITY OR TOWN:Newport

STATE:

Rhode IslandtAP :REFERNCE.SOURCE:

U.S.G.S. 7.5’ Series, Newport Quadrangle

ICALE: .L:Z4UUU

ATE: 1957, photorevised 197

TO bE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS- 1. Property broundorieswhere required

2. North arrow.- 3. Latitude and longitude reference.

OAfl

COO:

- - - - - - - - -- -

-:- .tt:tji

S

IS

Form 10-301 UNITED ITATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORJuly 1969 -

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESPROPERTY MAP FORM

‘Li

LuIn

Form 10-301July 1969

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

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-UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR- NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - -

NATIONAL -REGISTER OF5HISTORIC PLACES

PROP ERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM

Trinity Church

STATE

- Rhode IslandCOUNTY - - -

- NewportFOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATE

IjQ7Q REFERENCE - -- - - -

j:

- Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph

lAMECOMMON: Trinity ChurchAND/OR HISTORIC: -- -

WOCATtON -STREET AND NUMBER:

141 Church Street at Spring StreetCITY OR TOWN: - - - - - -

Newport - - -

STATE: CODES COUNTY: CODE

- Rhode Island [44 - Newport 005

HOTO CREDIT Patricia Heintzelnan2ATE OF PHOTO October, :197414 EGATIVE FILED AT: - -

Historic-Sites Survey, Nfl - -

DENTIFICATIONDESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETc-

View of Trinity Church, west end - - -

-3Ola UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR -

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

- PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM -

- Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph -

4AMEr::;::: .- ::; -;:_:_ :x-.:. ---ii:-:-ns --:- :-- :r:::..:.::-:::::-.-.:-:.:--.:-- : -- .:-::---- V - ---.-V-:VV-V--:--_V:*

tCOMMON: Trinity Church -

HISTORIC: Trinity Church -

LOCATION - -

STREET AND NUMBER:

141 Church Street at Spring Street - - - -

CITY OR TOWN: - - - -- -

Newport - - - - -- - - -

STATE: - - - CODE COUNTY: CODE

Rhode Island-

44: New-port - 005‘11070 REFERENCE I

‘HOTO CREDIT: Patricia Heintzelman - -

ATEOFPNOTO: October. 19744EGATIVE WILED AT: - -

- Historic Sites Survey, NPS - - - - -- - - - --

IDENTIFICATIONDESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC.

View of east end of church.

-* ISSGOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1973-729-152/1446 Ill-I

STATE

Rhode IslandCOUNTY

NewportFOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER 0 ATE

15:

-f

-

-

-

- L -

-3010

-ç.:1j -

O-3Olo. - - - UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR - STATE

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY - - IP’Th

- Newport --

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR UPS USE ONLY -

Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photographENTRY NUMBER OATE

NAME-- ;:‘--;-:--- ::-- -- - : -- -

OMMDN: Trinity Church- - - - - - - - - : - -

JAND/oR HISTORICTr1nity Church;;c- r

LOCATIONSTREET AND NUMBER: - - --

-- :/ - - -

141 Church Street at Spring Street

CITY OR TOWN: - -

Newport - -

STATE:

Rhode IslandCODE COUNTY: CODE

44 Newport - 005 -- -

PHOTO REPERENCE I V

‘HOTO CREDIT: Patricia Heintzelman -- I

DATEOFPHDTO: October 1974 - --

IEGATIVç FILED AT: - - -

Historic Sites Survey - - -- --

-V-:JH;-?V;--:-Y - - V- -- - --- - --

DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC. - - - - - -I’

Detail of spire - - -- - -- -

--

-

-

H--.,

- USERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1973-729-152/1446 rn-I 1-

0-301o UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORSTATE - .

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - Rhode Island - -

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY

- PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM - FOR UPS USE ONLY - - :--

- ENTRY NUMBER DATE - -.

Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph -

NAME V< :-V::.-- .>;;V.>_:.t1 *-:-X V:f;:E:_. *-::c:-. -: -: - - -- -

4MON: Trinity Church -

¶AND/OR HISTORIC: Trinity Church ‘ -

LOCATIONSTREET AND NUMBER: - -

- 141 Church Street at Spring Street -

CITY OR TOWN: -

NewportSTATE: - I cODEJC0UNT CODE

- Rhode Island -44 Newport - 005

PHOTO REFERENCE I

FHOTO CREDIT: Patricia ueintzelman

kATE OF PHOTO: October 1974EGATIVE FILED AT: - -

j Historic Sites Survey - - -

ICENTIFICATIONJDESCRIBE VIEW DIRECTION. ETC. - - : -

I View of modern 1955 church building, not given landmark status.

-. ,.-t--:::- - -- - -

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIc PLACES

PROPERTY PJ-tOTOGRAPH FORM -

Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph

::-V:- :V::V::- V-:: - .v:::-% 1 :-Hi::: 1w:::-:-::Vct:::-:/Y, :-. V::. --:-- -

Fo1 No. 1O-301o -

7/72 -

-

COMMON: Trinity Church -

- AND/OR HISTORIC: Trinity -

Ia_LOCATIONSTREET AND NUMBER -

CITY OR TOWN:

Newport-

STATE:

Rhode Island

kATE OF PHOTO: OctoberIl EGATIVE FILED AT: -

Historic Sites Survey

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

e1s1anrj. - -

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY - -

- New-port- PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY

Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photographENTRY NUMBER DATE - -

-V- -: :-:-:--:V-:-.--.V-- -: - - --- :-::1-V-r H--VV 11:-

COMMON: Trinity Church - -

AND/OR HISTORIC: Trinity ChurchrLOCA T ION

STREET AND NUMBER: - -

141 Church Street at Spring Street - -

CITY OR TOWNI - :-.. -- -

Newport -- : -

- - -

STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE -

Rhode Island 44 Newport - 005EPHOTO REFERENCE

‘HOTO CREDIT: Patricia Heintzelman -

ATE OF PI10T0 October 1974 - - -

EGATIVE FILED AT: - - - -

Historic Sites Survey, NPS - -‘ -

___________________

-:.:_:::___-

DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC. . -

Interior view of east end of church. --‘- :-

-ffLat.- I

141 Church Stteet at Spri,

PHOTO CREDIT: Patricia Heintzelman

DESCRIBE YIEW. DIRECTI ON. ETC.

View of stairs to pulpit

* U-S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE- 1073-729-152/1446 rn-I

STATE:

Rhode Island -

COUNTY: -

Newport - -

FOR UPS USE ONLYENTRY NUMBER - DATE

COMMON: - -

Trinity Church - - -

AND/OR HISTORIC: - - - -

Trinity Church - - - - -

STATECODE IC OUNTY: -

Rhode Island 44 1 New-nort

CATEGORYcheck One

OWNERSHIP STATUSACCESSIBLE

TO THE PUBLIC

C District Building

C Site C Structure

C Object -

C PUbliC public Acquisition:

g Private C In Process

C Both- C Being Considered

--

Occupied

C Unoccupied

o Preservation workn progress

Yes:Restricted

c UnrestrIcted

No

PRESENT USE Check One or More as Appropriate

C Agricultural C Government C Park C Transportation C Comments

C Commercial C Industrial C Private Residence C Other Specify -

C Educational C Military Religious

C Entertoinment C Museum C 5cientUc - -

OWNERS NAME:

Episcopal Church - - - gB

ZSTREET AND NUMBER: -

27 Church Street - - - - - - - - --- -

a

-

CITY OR TOWN: - -: STATE: - CODE

a - - -- Rhode Islandt

::cATIOftoEL-EGALDESTION -- - ::::.v:v::: : -:: :: :::f VV1.I1** :-::*V1 t:*:1-: -. ::-:- ------:

COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF OEE-DS. ETc:

Newport City HallSTREET AND NUMBER: - -

Washington Square -

Rhode -Island

ft_REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYSTITLEOFSURVEY:J.{jstoric American Thxilding Surveyphotocopies of 3 1936 and

pre 1925 measureddrawings,HABS form 1959 and 8 data pages 1972.DATE OF SURVEY:1936,1959,1972 - - Federal - C StateDEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: - -

Library of Congress/Annex - - - - -. - -:: --: - -

STREETANDNUMBER. - -- - - - -

- -- 4:-,, -. - -- -

Division of Prints and Photographs - - - -

CITY OR TOWN: STATE:-

CODE

Washington - D.c. - - :-

‘corn 10.300Jul 1969

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE -

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC’PLACES

NATIONAL JVENTORY t NOMINATION FORMH I 102 IC

LA?ILIAA all entries complete applicable sections

Ii. NAME

-

- .:-.-: -::- - --:-:--:::--- -

STREET AND NUMBER:

141 Church Street at Spring Street - - -

CITY OR TOWN: -

New-port - - 1st Congressional District

ja. CLASSIFICATION - - - -

CODE

005

4. OWNER OF PROPERTY - - --- - --

CITY OR TOWN:

Newport -

STATE -

CD

-CODE

44

n0Cz-l

Inz-l

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IDI,

C County C Local-I,

0

2*0Ill

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‘I - .W_WDUWRIPTJONY t.’pgpq t’T’.: - m:- - I

- Chock One

I Excellenl C Good C Foiz C Deteriro1ed - C Puins C UnexposedCONDITION i-

Check One. .----

--I - Check One

% Altered C Unaltered _j_ Ti Moved $j Original Silo

DESCRIOE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL if known PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Trinity Church, Newport is a two story rectangular frame and clapboardbuilding with gable ends and a low pitched roof. Two rows of- round-

-headed windows run along the north and south sides and a larger arched-window ofiiiilar form marks the centiral nave on theèastern end. Thesteeçle an the western end is formed by a tall square wooden towertopped by a narrow modillioned cornice. From this rises an arcadedbelfry framed by Done pilasters with amiodillioned cornice andtriglyph frieze, a lantern with round-headed windows framed by Ionicpilasters supporting another cornice and plain architrave, and a slendespire. Tall slender cones, similar in form to the spire, rest at thecorners of the first stage. The second and third stages are markedby urns, diminishing in size to correspond to the graduation of thesteeple sections. -

-mAlthough it lacks the variety of forms found at The First Baptist

- mMeeting House in Providence, which is-about forty years later, the -

steeple at Trinity has a soaring graceful form achieved by the slender, - - -

almost delicate proportions of its parts. The tower itself is some- awhat awkward in the spacing of its openings which are unrelated byproportion, spacing, or architectural features, such as the use of astringcourse on the tower at Old North.

The entrances on the north are framed by fluted pilasters on pedestals C

which support a segmental arch with a semicircular depression. - Thisnaive divergence from classical forms, almost as ifa drawing in apattern book had been misunderstood, provides a provincial.freshness - - -

to the building, suited to the regional wooden construction.

The building, including the steeple was designed in 1725, büt’the-

- steeple spirewas not constructed until 1741. In 1768 the first top - -

was blown down and replaced in its original form. It is thereforeearlier than Old North, its model, which was redone by Bulfinchin --- - - -

1807. The only other major structural alteration occured in 1762 wheñthe building was lenthened by two bays. - - - -

-- -:

The interior also bears a close resemblance to Old North, Boston.These two buildings are the only Colonial chürchés which use superim-posed piers tcYsupport the balcony and ceiling, rather than the onelarge order. This feature relates the design to Wrents St. StephensHolborn and St. AndrewsWardrobe. In both churches these piers are

- paneled below and flutted on the second level. Trinity, however,difhirs in ceiliii construction. The lateral cross vaults of- the aislebays are lifted to the level of the main vault, thus forming a systemof quasi-groin vaults over the nave. This creates a-unifing lateralsweep which gives reposeful dignity to the austere simplicity of the -

Interior. The effect is heightened by the large arched window set -

within a deep arched plaster reveal iii the wall which fbrms a - framefor the altar and pulpit. - - - - ... -

NtIbe? elf entrlee

7. - Description: 1

INVENTORY . NOMINASION FORM

Continuation Sheet

STATE

Rhode Island -

Feel, tO-300o UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Oufy f.969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

- NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY

- - Newport

-- FOR NPS USE ONLY

- - ENTRY NUMCER j - DATE

- Trinity Church

There are also a few seventeenth-century overtones in the raised paneling forthe gallery breasts and the Jacobean "Union Jack1’ paneling under the warder’spew. This design was a favorite of Munday’s who repeated it in the balconyof the Colony House and the SabatarianMeeting House.

The great, triple-decked wineglass pulpit in its original center aisle position is a unique survival of a typical colonial form. The massive soundingboard over the pulpit and the iron-work are fine examples of colonial craftsmanship. -

The chancel table, made in England in 1680, is the original altar of thechurch. Trinity also possessesthe second chalice and paten sent to theColonies by the London Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign.Parts SPG; this set has been in continuous use since 1702. There is also abell, the gift of Queen Anne in 1702, and the original casework and a fewpipes of the Bridge organ given by Bishop Berkeley. The royal crown andBishop’s mitre which ornamented it fortunately survived the. Revolutiánary War.Flemish brass chandelierswere first hung in 1728 and the painted altarpiecewas a gift from the SPG in 1733. The high backed box pews are also a raresurvival of the original. Trinity is one of the few early American churcheswhich has never required restoration.

Boundary - -

Trinity Church is located on a long narrow block closely surrounded by otherchurch buildings, period houses and warehouses. The landmark boundary hasbeen drawn to exclude all but the church itself in the landmark designation,beginning at the northeast corner at the intersection of Spring and ChurchStreets, continuing south along the west curb of Spring Street to FrankStreet, then west along the north curb of Frank Street to a point in linewith the hedge at the rear of cemetery, then north along this hedge to ChurchStreet, then east along the south curb of Church Street to the point of -

beginning as shown in green on the sketch map.

GPO 921.124

PERIOD Check One or More as Appropriate -

o Pre-calumbion D 16th Century 18th Century El 20th Century

C 15th Century fl 17th C.ntury - flJ 19th Century

SPECIFIC DATEISI If Appflcahfe nndKr,own 172’-26, 1768AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE Check One or More as Appropriate

Aboriginal 0 Education C Political C Urban Planning -

o Prehistoric C Engineering- C Religion/Phi. C Other SPecify

Li Histdric C Industry losophy

________________________

Agriculture Invention C Science

________________________

Architecture C Landscape C Sculpture

o Art Architecture C Social/Human- -

o C Literaturebrian

________________________

C Communications 0 Military C Theater

________________________

C Conservation C Music C Transportation

________________________

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE -

Trinity Church, Newport, was begun in 1725 by Richard Nunday, a localcraftsman who also was responsible for the. Colony House, Newport,

en another national historic landmark. Very similar in design to Old Northz Christ Church Boston, it seems likely-that William Price, a Bostono print dealer and one of the founders of Trinity, as well as the- designer of Old North, obtained the plans. This would explain the close

relationship to the Boston church. Both churches are closely relatedto the designs of Sir Christopher Wren for his London Churches, mdi-U cating access to his plans which Price might have had. The elegantclassical

correctness of the spire contrasts with the curious segmentalpediments broken at the top by inverted semicircles over the easterndoors and the awkward proportions-of the tower openings, giving an

- unorthodox yet distinctive character to one of the most beautiful ofcolonial churches. Trinity is also one of the very few church buildingsZ which retains its original interior furnishingé and has never required

- restoration. With its steeple and interior intact, Trinity remains- aw rare survival and important example of Georgian church design in the

American colonies.

- HISTORY - -

The present Trinity Church was erected in 1725-26 by Newport’s mastercarpenter, Richard Nunday, designer of the Colony House and some of thefiner private houses of the period. Both the interior and the steepleof Trinity are considered to be more closely related to Wrents London -

churches than any other Colonial building with the exception of OldNorth. Old North in Boston had been begun two years earlier fromessentially the same plans. Both are associated with William Price,a Boston print dealer, who could have had access to prints or plans ofWren’s churches. - - - - -

-Wren designed over- fifty-two - chuithes for London after the Great Fireof 1666 and thqse -had an unmistakable effect on all subsequent churchdesign.

The London Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Partswas founded in 1701 and they. are known to have commissioned the architectto draw plans for several churches proposed to be erected in the Colonies

Fbrn 1O-JOOo UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE - -

Ju1y1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island -

NATIONALREGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES cOUNTY

- NewportINVENTORY . NOMINATION FORM

- - FOR NPS USE ONLY- -

. ENTRY NUMBER DATE- . Continuation Sheet

Number all entriee -

8. Significance second page

Since none of these plans have beenfound it is speculation to linkTrinity or Old North directly to them, but they are specificallyrelated td Wren’s designs in general and particular comparisons can -

be made to his churches. The spire for example relates to St. LawrenceJewiy and the use of superimposedpiers on the interior, used nowhereelse in Colonial church building, related to St. Stephens Holbron and

St. Andrews Wardrobe.

The spire, designed in 1726, was not actually constructed until 1741.In 1768, when it was found to be defective it was taken down andrebuilt to follow the original design. In 1762, the church waslengthened two bays 30 feet by dividing the building in half,moving back the rear portion and joining the sections with matchingfabric. - - -

The church still possesses the original altar table, a bell sent byQueen Anne to the parish in 1702 and an organ given by Dean Berkeleyin 1733. The building has been in continuous service since 1726 andstill maintains an active parish today. - -

GPO 921.1 24

-- -----r--------- - ---- -.- . -- -.--- ---.‘-- -- - - -

.4

C -

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

Ôowning, Antoninette F., Early Homes-of Rhode-Island Richmond, Va., 1937.

______-

and Scully, Vincent J. Jr., The-Architectural Heritage of Newport,Rhode Island, 1640-1915, -New-York, 1967. - - - - -

- Marléwe, GeorgeP., Churches of Old New-England1 New York, 1947. --

Morrison, Hugh, Early American Atchitectute,-New York, 1952. -

Pierson, William H. Jr., American Buildings:andTheir Architects: The Colorialand Neo-Classical Styles, Garden City, N.Y., 1970. - - -

Place, Charles A., "From Meeting House of Church in New England," Old TimeNew England, Vol XIII, No 4. April, 1923

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA --

- LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES

DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTYOF LESS THAN TEN ACRES

LATITUDE AND LONCflTUDE COORDINATES

DEFINING. A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY 0R

LATITUDE LONCI TUDE

Degrees Minutes Seconds0 -

19. 306820.‘45952q0

Degrees Minutes Seconds0

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CORNER - LATITUDE LONGITUDE

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Degrees Minutes Seconds0

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APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: 2 acresLIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY OOUNDARI ES

FORM PREPARED BYNAME AND TITLE; Patricia Reintzelman, architectural historian, Landmark Review

- Project- DATEORGANIZATION

- -- 1/10/75Historic Sites Survey

STREET AND NUMBER: -

1100 L. - Street, N.W. -

CITY OR TOWN; - STATE

Washington D.C.

CODE

11- STATh LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICAl ION - NATIONAL- REGISTER VERIFICATION -

As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na

tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Public Law

89-665, 1 hereby nominate this property for inclusion

in. the National Register and certify that it has been

evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set

forth by the National ParkService. The recommended

level of significance of this nomination is: -

National 0 State C Local 0

- NATI0NAL HISTORIC -

Name- LA1TDMAIIKS . -

I hereby certify that this property is included in the

National Register. - -, -

UTIOtTAt

NWNE

SE

SW

STATE:

STATE

STATE:

CODE COUNTY

STATE:

UNTY:

COUNTY:

-

Chief, Office of Archeoloilvland Historic Prose,vatio’11 ito

/:7t

Title

- Date

[NATIONAL HI STOliILANDMPKS

- I

I-

I

SketchTrinityNewport,Island,

map of

Church,Rhode

1975 -

church

Landmarkary

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1Form 10-301July 1969

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NAtIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC P LACES-

PROPERTY MAP FORM

1#- Typ’e all entries . attachto or enclosewith map

STATE -

Rhode-Island -

-COUNTY

NewportFOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DAT:

Z 1. NAME -

0 1COMMON: Trinity ChurchAND/OR HISTORIC: Trinity Church

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CITY OR TOWN: -

Newport - - -

STATE: conE ICOUNTY:

Rhode Island1

Newport1

005MAP REFERENCE

SOURCE: -

sketch map drawn on site by Patricia Heintzelman

ICALE unscaledDATE: 1974

EREQUIREMENTS - -- :2

ST ATE;

Rhode island

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Form 10-301 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ThE INTERIOR

July 1969NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NAIIO$AL REGISTER OF HISTORIC P LACES

PROPERTY MAP FORM -

Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map

COMMON:

AND/OR HISTORIC

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3Gb UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - Rhode Island- COUNTY

NATIONAL REGISTER OF..HISTORIC PLACES- Newport -

- PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FQRNPSLJSE0NLYENTRY NUMBER DATE I’- - - : -

Type all entries attach to or enclosewith photograph

AME

lDN: Trinity ChurchTrinity Church - :-lAND/OP HISTORIC

LOCATIONSTREET AND NUMBER.

14]. Church Street at Spring StreetCITY OR TOWN: -

Newport -

STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

Rhode Island - 44 - Newport 005‘HOlD REFERENCEPHOTO CREDIT: Patricia HejntzelmanDATE OF PHOTO October, 1974‘IEOATIVE FILED AT: - -

Historic Sites Survey, NPS

IDENTIFICATION- DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

View of Trinity Church, west end

‘lAME

ICOMM0N: Trinity Church

.OCATION -

STREET AND NUMBER:

CITY OR TOWN;

Newport

STATE:

Rhode Island

HOTO REFERENCE‘HOTO CREDIT: Patricia HeintzelATE Or PHOTO: 01IEGATIVE FILED AT:

Historic Sites_Survey, NPSqET4TIEICATI0N :::.

OESCRIE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC.

* U.S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE; 1973-7a0- 152/1446 U] -

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i-301a UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR - -

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM

Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph

HISTORIC: Trinity Chur

141 Church Street at Spring Street -

View of east end of church.

IO.301o ‘ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK 5ERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORMType all entries - attach to or-enclosewith photograph

NAME --*---‘- -- -Y--: r-

LCOMMON: Trinity ChurchlAND/OR HIsToRIcTrinity ChurchLOCATIONSTREET AND NUMBER:

141 Church Street at Spring StreetCITY OR TOWN:

Newport

Rhode IslandIHOTO REFERENCE

NTIFICAtIQNESCRIeE VIEW DIRECTION: ETC

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR- NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM

Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph

STATE

Rhode Island -

COUN TV

NewportFOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATE

- --:-H -- .-;:;*- - :-;::y.;-: V f-V;V V-:.-.-;-;-;-;;+:--;:; -v N-.:

tC0MM0M: Trinity Church -

JtD/oR HISTORIC: Trinity ChurchLOCATION - -

- -‘- I -- - - -

STREET AND NUMBER:

141 Church Street at Spring Street:ITY OR TOWN:

Newport -

ITATE: - CODE COUNTY: - CODE

Rhode Island 44 Newport 005

‘HOTO CREDIT: Patricia HeintzelmanDATE OF PHOTO: October 1974EGATIVE FILED AT: - -

Historic Sites Survey - ::DTIFIcTION

DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTI ON. ETC.

HOTOREFERENCE- - - - - - - - - -

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STATE:

IOTO CREDIT: Patricia Heintzelman-ATE OF PHOTO: October 1974IECATIV Fl LED AT:

Historic Sites Survey

Detail of spire

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* US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE- 1973-729.1 5Z/ 1446 UI’ I

View of modern 1955 church building, not given landmark status.

Form qo.1040ia UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

712 - " - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - fflode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY

- Newport- PROPERTY PIOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY

-. ENTRY NUMBER DATE

Type all entries - attach to Or enclosewith photograph - -

Jp4.44 - - H - :---- -- -:;;--v -- .-v-;;-vvv--:: -: -------v - . -:

o bOMMON: Trinity Church- - lAND/OR HISTORIC: Trinity ChurchI- jj.j.OCAT ION

uSTREET AND NUMBER: -

141 Churàh Street at Spring Street - - -

CITY OR TOWN:

Newport

STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE- Rhode Island 44 Newport 005

REFERENCE -.

- FHOTO CREDIT: Patricia Heint±elman

IDATE0F0T0:October 1974

ECATIVE FtLED AT:Historic Sites Survey ‘ - - - - -

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View of stairs to pulpit

USGOVERP4AENT PRINTING OFFICE; 1973-729-132/1446 rn-I

__________________________

- - - --- -tc C; -,

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ""‘c24s1.Wa- -

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY - --

New-ptPROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM - FORNPSUSEONLY -

ENTRY NUMBER DATE- Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph E>

-H-- -;- -‘--:-- ;--:--:;- -:H -- ;;.- -c;;:;--f--;;--;;-V-.Y-;-:-V ;: :v;;::.::---;;. : - v

COMMON: Trinity Church -

AND/OR HISTORIC: Trinity ChurchJ_LOCATION

STREET AND NUMBER:

141 Church Street at Spring Street __,: - -

- CITY OR TOWN: - - - - ;;

Newport - - -

STATE: - CODE COUNTY: - CODE- Rhode Island - 44 Newport 005

1-ICTO REFERENCE

‘HOTO CREDIT: Patricia HeintzelmpnDATE OF PHOTO: October 1974IECATIVE FILED AT:

Historic Sites Survey, NPS

________________

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DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC. -- ‘2

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