Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

Trinity Episcopal Church

This handsome church, designed by Mason & Rice and opened on Jan. 1, 1893, sits at the gateway to Detroit's Woodbridge neighborhood, at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Trumbull Avenue.

The church was built for Detroit News founder James E. Scripps, whose mansion once stood across the street. Construction began in 1890 and ended early 1893. It is one of the earliest examples of late Gothic Revival by an American architect. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Its stained glass windows include offerings from Franz Mayer and Co. of Munich, Willet Studios and Tiffany Studios. The Pipe Organ was built by George Jardine & Son of New York City

Its parish house, designed by Lancelot Sukert, was built next to the church in 1925-26.

In 2006, Faith Memorial Lutheran Church and Trinity Episcopal Church joined together and called themselves Spirit of Hope. In 2018, Spirit of Hope closed, and Trinity’s latest chapter began as a Mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.

In March 2020, it was announced that the church would close after celebrating Easter, with its pastor, the Rev. Anthony Estes, being called to Christ Church in Detroit.

"Ultimately, the needs of our physical structure outweighed our available resources, making our growth an almost impossible task," Estes wrote on the church's website, as he announced the building's closure. "In light of the considerable expense and the lack of sustainable resources, our leadership prayerfully and carefully discerned closure of the church and redeployment of our ministries in different contexts. ...

"Trinity was one of the most excellent examples I have seen of Christ in the community and the community engaging with a church."

What the future holds for this landmark remains to be seen.

Last updated 11/08/2023