About Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity was founded in 1869 by members of Vicksburg’s first Episcopal parish, Christ Church, prompted in part by desire for a larger place of worship more convenient to the growing, southern section of the city. The lot purchased for the new church by founder John Alexander Klein, longtime diocesan treasurer, was seven blocks southwest of Christ Church. Within weeks the congregation erected a small wooden chapel on the site in order to hold worship. The parish called the Rev. William Wilberforce Lord, D.D., then in Charleston, as their first rector. Dr. Lord had previously served as rector of Christ Church during the siege of Vicksburg. He laid the cornerstone at Holy Trinity on October 31, 1870 in a Masonic ceremony.
Over the next decade, the congregation worshipped regularly in the chapel while raising funds to build the church. In 1878 a yellow fever epidemic struck Vicksburg and three of the founding members of Holy Trinity (William A. Fairchild, D.W. Flowerree, and Dr. P.F. Whitehead) died. The building project was delayed six months while the congregation mourned this loss.
The congregation worshipped in the new church building on March 28, 1880 and celebrated the completion of the building and also installation of the first stained glass windows (the Reconciliation windows in the west wall and the sanctuary windows in memory of the Fairchilds, Flowerrees, and Dr. Whitehead).
Dr. Lord resigned in 1875 and the Rt. Rev. William Forbes Adams, D.D. came to Holy Trinity. During his tenure the parish occupied the new church and retired much debt. The church building was finally consecrated on June 24, 1894 after completion of the interior work, furnishing, and payment of the final construction debt.
The church building was finally consecrated on June 24, 1894 after completion of the interior work, furnishing, and payment of the final construction debt.
We believe in the One Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Our Mission is to proclaim the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ by sharing His spirit in worship and in the ministry to the needs of our congregation and our community.
Our Beliefs
WE ARE HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH. As our name proclaims:
- We believe in the One Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in Jesus Christ’s redeeming act on the cross.
- We believe in Christ’s bodily resurrection from the grave.
- We believe in the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.