Trinity Episcopal Parish Capital Campaign 2013

Honoring Our Heritage

Looking Forward to Our Future

“It’s our turn now to look after this Holy place and we are eager to embrace this project for the next generations so they too can enjoy this wonderful place of worship.” Rev. Canon Dr. David Weidner, Rector

Trinity’s Mission: To Love and Serve God More Faithfully, To Know Christ More Fully, To Make Him Better Known to Others Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

WHY IS THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IMPORTANT? A message from Fr. Weidner

Rev. Canon Dr. David Weidner

The 2013 Trinity Capital Campaign involves all of us. Our parish physical facili-ties need our prayerful help. However, this capital campaign is not about build-ings. It is about our faith and our mission. It is about honoring those who have gone before us and looking forward to the future of those who will follow us. It is about recognizing the role of this beautiful sanctuary and our other facilities as they enable us to worship and serve God more faithfully, to know Christ more fully, and, with the guiding power of the Holy Spirit, to make him better known to others. Everyone is invited to participate in this Capital Campaign. I hope you will see, as I do, that what we seek to accomplish in the Capital Campaign is an essential part of the faithful stewardship of what we have been given at Trinity Parish. This campaign is about us. It is about our spiritual lives today. It is about our walk with Christ today. We need to ask “What is God asking me to do with my time, talents, and treasures?

Fr. David

Capital Campaign Committee

Fr. David Weidner Martha Abstein

Jean Aclin Charles Alston Terry Cormeny John Creadick Jack Crocker

Jack Daly Bob Finney

Bonnie Holder Ros Humerick Marty Mariner

Jan Pearce John Richardson

Judith Wilmot Alex Wilson

TRINITY’S HISTORY Our Past, Present and Future

History: Trinity Episcopal Parish was established in 1821, the year control of Florida was transferred to the United States by Spain. Church services were held in the Government House for the first ten years before moving in 1831 to the newly-constructed church building fronting King Street and the City Plaza. The church steeple was erected in 1839 and still stands today as an icon of historic St. Augustine. In 1903, the church was substantially enlarged into the present cruciform structure which accommodates over 300 parishioners. In that year, the main church entrance was moved to St. George Street, but the original King Street entrance to the 1831 building continues in use today. The church sanctuary includes 28 stained glass windows, the earliest dating to 1859. The north transept of the church is named St. Peter's Chapel and includes a unique signature Tiffany Window, a 1905 gift to Trinity Parish.

“Our past is long and mirrors the events of our nation and the lives of those

who worshipped here. The story of Trinity Parish is a tapestry, woven of

people and stone, of wood and worship, forming an unbroken offering to

the Glory of God.”

Mike Strock, Church Historian

Today: Trinity is a growing parish. Attendance at our three Sunday services and Wednesday healing service is increasing. Trinity’s ministries and outreach programs are expanding. Adult and youth Sunday school attendance are rapidly growing, and enrollment in the Trinity Early Learning Center continues to increase each year.

The Future: The main sanctuary and other buildings on Trinity’s campus support parish worship services, ministries, and outreach programs. They will support our future endeav-ors as we continue to grow our faith-based community.

Trinity Parish has seen tremendous growth over the last few years: Parish membership has grown 4%+ every year for the past 5 years. The Trinity Early Learning Center school population has grown Religious Education attendance has grown Youth group attendance has grown This trend is expected to continue in lockstep with the growth of our community. St. Johns County is the 4th Fastest growing county in Florida from 2000 to 2010 (54%), and according to the census bureau is expected to grow 20% or more over the next 15 years. Trinity's increased attendance at church services and other functions is placing substantial demands on our church buildings, especially those used for youth and adult education, minis-tries and activities. Not only must we restore and maintain what has been passed down to us, but we also need to expand to accommodate the larger church family of the future.

OUR PARISH IS GROWING Current and Future Trends

TRINITY’S YOUTH GROUP WITH FR. KEN HERZOG

The restoration of its buildings is important to Trinity Episcopal Parish, but the role the parish has played in the history of St. Augustine over the last 192 years makes this capital restoration effort significant to the Community as well. The goal of the capital campaign is $1.3 million. The funds will be used for repairs, restoration and expansion in five main areas: Steeple. This iconic landmark erected in 1839 needs major structural restoration.

Stained Glass. This includes the restoration of the windows as well as their protective coverings.

Exterior Restoration. Restoration of the exterior includes repairing and sealing cracks in the walls and an overhaul of the slate walkway.

Interior Restoration. Included in this category are both repairs and upgrades to lighting, restrooms, and replacement of aging HVAC units.

Hindry Hall and Expansion. In addition to refurbishing Hindry Hall, the education facilities will be expanded, and the capital reserve will be replenished to meet future capital needs as they arise.

THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GOAL

HOW WILL FUNDS BE USED?

TRINITY PARISH STEEPLE

The steeple has stood as an iconic fixture of St. Augustine and was completed in 1839. It is made of wood and sits above the foundation of the original 1831 church. The exterior was last renovated over 30 years ago in 1982, but now leaks water and needs shingles replaced along with other repairs. The supporting structure of the steeple has undergone mainly patchwork repairs over its life, and is now also in dire need of restoration. In 2012, we applied for a $50,000 grant under the Florida Viva 500 historic preservation program. In June 2013, we learned that our grant request was approved by the State of Florida. This grant recognizes the significance of Trini-ty Parish in the history of our state and community.

TIFFANY WINDOW RESTORATION

This stained glass window, signed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, was given as a thank offering in 1905. The window illustrates Tiffany's skill in using color and glass to produce a work of art, and shows Cornelius and an angel. Cornelius was a Roman Centurion of Caesarea who was instructed in a vision to have Peter brought to the city. When Peter arrived he found a gathering of Gentiles, who were later converted and baptized, the first Gentiles converted through Peter's efforts. (Acts X:IV). The window has been removed and its restoration is currently in process. About 10% of the cost has been received from the Church’s insurance policy. The re-mainder will be paid through Trinity’s Capital Cam-paign.

There are 28 stained-glass windows around the periphery of the church. The first of the stained-glass windows was installed in 1859, with the most recent installed in 1972. The windows of Trinity call to mind many great biblical figures and events. Jesus is pictured three times as the Good Shepherd and his life is chroni-cled from the Nativity through the Resurrection. The four Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - accent the original entrance on King Street.

Restoration work was done on some of these windows in the early 1990s, but they are in need of extensive repairs. The framing supporting the windows is in poor condition. If not repaired now, further deterioration will occur, which puts the windows at risk of coming loose, cracking, and breaking.

The stained-glass windows have protective win-dows outside, but some of the protective windows have also developed problems and need repair as well.

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

EXTERIOR RESTORATION

The exteriors of the main church building and our other buildings added to the campus in the 1950s show cracks and other signs of damage needing repair. No major structural issues have been found, however, significant exterior cracks and other surface problems exist, and these areas will require repair, sealing and painting. The slate walkways along Trinity's covered cloister walkways were installed 54 years ago and have numerous cracks and holes, which are a safety hazard. The walkway must be entirely replaced.

INTERIOR RESTORATION

Lighting, Electrical: Due to the age of the buildings, the lighting and electrical systems need repairs and upgrades.

Church HVAC System Replacement: The existing system is old and inefficient making it costly to operate and maintain. Since the systems are obsolete, major components cannot be repaired or changed as they fail, and Trinity is forced to up-grade to modern equipment. Of the 10 units in operation, 9 need to be replaced within the next 1 to 5 years.

Miscellaneous: Many smaller items such as painting need to be done, and floors and gutters need repairs.

Restroom and Accessibility Upgrades: Restroom upgrades, including converting the main lobby restroom to be accessible, are planned.

HINDRY HALL, EXPANSION, AND CAPITAL RESERVE

Hindry Hall was added in 1954 and now needs new flooring and extensive repairs to the walls and ceiling. Trinity Parish needs more space for our Sunday School, meetings, educational programs and youth activities to meet both current and future needs as we grow. The plan is to add a second floor to the education wing above the nursery. This will add 1,600 sq. ft. and would go a long way towards providing for current and future space needs. Trinity Parish is also planning for future unfore-seen capital needs. Replenishment of the Capital Reserve Fund is part of this Capital Campaign.

The Trinity Capital Campaign Committee, along with the church staff and a variety of experts, have worked to identify these important projects that are required to secure the integrity of our building. Please support this important campaign and prayerfully consider the needs and future of the church and its facilities and make a generous pledge to further Trinity’s mission and “goodly inheritance”. Your support will allow our historic building to continue to be a beacon for our community and a place to be enjoyed, a place of prayer, renewal, and mission, and a legacy to support the mission for those who come after us.

Join us in making a pledge to further Gods work in our community.

You are invited to participate in the restoration and preservation of Trinity Parish. Please make your pledge or donation payable to "Trinity Episcopal Parish Capital Campaign" and mail to: Trinity Episcopal Parish, Attention: The Rev. Dr. David F. Weidner 215 St. George Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Any questions concerning the Trinity Parish Capital Campaign or its specific projects should be directed to Fr. Weidner at (904) 824-2876.