About Trinity

The History of Trinity Episcopal Church

Norborne Parish was formed in 1771 from old Frederick Parish and named for Norborne Berkeley, Lord Botetourt, a popular Royal Governor of Virginia.  Originally it included the present counties of Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson.  The first vestry included many who figured prominently in the Revolution and the settlement of the West, including Adam Stephen, Samuel Washington, Thomas Swearingen and Morgan Morgan, II.  The first Trinity Church was built in 1776 and stood at the corner of South Street and Maple Avenue.

The building on the present site was erected in 1843 on land given by Elisha Boyd.  The Rev. John Chrisholm was the first rector.  Initially within the Diocese of Virginia, Norborne Parish became part of the Diocese of West Virginia when it was formed in 1877.  In 1954 Trinity’s undercroft was excavated to provide rooms for classes and other activities.  A new parish hall was built, the sanctuary was remodeled, and brick facing was added in 1966.  Trinity hosted the Diocesan Conventions in 1967 and ully1991.

The Parish has had an historical commitment to outreach and social action.  Persons of all races were baptized, married, and buried here from the beginning.  In recent years, members have been leaders in Meals on Wheels, Alcoholics Anonymous, Emergency Food and Fuel Program, Berkeley Senior Center, Highland Education Project, Habitat for Humanity, the Peterkin Camp and Conference Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship, Shenandoah Women’s Center, Coalition for the Homeless, Scouting, United Way, Coalition for the Homeless, C-CAP, and Hospice.  In 1969 the Parish began Norborne Day Care Center.  The Parish has been a founding partner in Associates for Community Development with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church which operates King’s Daughters Court, a home for the elderly and disabled in 1983.

Four bishops have gone out from Trinity Church:  The Rt. Rev. Robert P. Atkinson, The Rt.  Rev. Charlie McNutt, the Rt. Rev. Harry Lee Doll, and the Rt. Rev. James Wagoner.  Many, many fine lay ministers from Trinity have served the Diocese and the community faithfully –  (Mary Fish, Sarah Steptoe)

This is a parish with a splendid historical tradition and a dedication to ministry in the present and future.  Grounded in Holy Scripture, our God-given reason, and the tradition of the faithful through the centuries, we seek to know Christ and make him known in a changing and challenging world.

Our Mission (why we are together)

A welcoming Christ-centered community –
Seeking God’s will
Sharing God’s wisdom
Serving God’s people

The Mission of the Church Is the Mission of Christ.

As Episcopalians, we are followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and we believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We uphold the Bible and worship with the Book of Common Prayer. We believe in amendment of life, the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting

As Trinity Episcopal Parish, we strive to share the Good News of God, to grow as Christian disciples, and to respond to the needs of the world in the power of the Holy Spirit.  In this way we look to share hope and grace.

The Great Commission

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  (Matthew 18:16-20)

The Great Commandment

You shall love the Lord your God with all heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and the great commandment.  And the second is like it:  you shall love your neighbor as yourself.  (Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:28-40; Luke 10:25-28)

Matthew 25

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.  (Matthew 25:35)

Baptismal Covenant

• To continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
• To persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent, and return to the Lord.
• To proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
• To seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves.
• To strive for justice and peace among all people

Five Marks of Mission:

The Episcopal Church of America identifies with the Five Marks of Mission that were developed by the Anglican Consultative Council. The Five Marks of Mission have given parishes and dioceses around the world a practical and memorable “checklist” for mission activities.

• To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
• To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
• To respond to human need by loving service
• To seek to transform unjust structures of society to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation
• To safeguard the integrity of creation and renew the life of the earth

All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.