History

Our Historic Church
Trinity Episcopal Church was built in 1857 in Washington, Virginia. It is a “Country Gothic” style church with an exterior originally of board and batten. In 1924 it was covered in pebble-dash stucco.

James Leake Powers, the master craftsman hired to build the church in 1857, worked with Thomas Jefferson building the University of Virginia. The bell tower and vestibule were added in 1905, while the beautiful stained-glass windows depicting the life of Christ were added and dedicated in 1937. The windows over the altar were moved to Trinity from Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Sperryville in 1982 when that church was sold.  During the Covid-19 pandemic the chancel and sanctuary flooring, originally laid in 1938, were replaced with wide pine to match the nave floors.
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Bromfield Parish
Bromfield Parish was established much earlier than this church building. It was partitioned from St. Mark’s Parish of Culpeper by an Act of Assembly in 1752. It included Rappahannock County, Madison County, and a small part of Culpeper County.

At that time, 1752, there were three existing well-established churches in Bromfield Parish: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Woodville; Piedmont Church, Madison; and Wolftown, Madison County.  St. Paul’s church building was destroyed in the tornado of 1929, which swept through Woodville destroying many buildings and homes. The cemetery is still used today by our Trinity Church families. It doubled in size  with a generous donation of land by Eldon Farm. New fencing and a drive were added in 2019.

​Trinity Church was established in 1857 and today is the last remaining congregation of the original Bromfield Parish.

Early Days
Many years before Trinity was built, a colonial "chapel of ease" existed near Washington at the Slaughter property in Tiger Valley. A memorial marker was dedicated in 1983 to honor this chapel called Strother Chapel and the house nearby that was used as a rectory for the circuit preachers.

A journal from the Diocese in May 1858 listed 7 communicants at Trinity Church. “They have built a very neat and comfortable house of worship at a cost of about $1800.00 which sum has been raised mainly amongst themselves." It was noted that St. Paul’s of Woodville, with 10 communicants, contributed $100.00.

The Rev. William T. Leavell was the rector at the time of the construction of the Trinity Church building. He recognized a need for a church in the northern end of the Parish. By 1871, there were 25 communicants listed at Trinity and the Rev. J. G. Minnegerode of Culpeper served as rector.

Rectory
The present rectory was planned and built under the direction of our “brick-and-mortar” priest, the Rev. W Francis Allison. The rectory, a fine brick center hall colonial, was completed in April of 1938.  The Rev. Allison laid the original brick walkway to the front door.  He is also credited with personally raising the floor of the chancel and sanctuary in the church. 

When the rectory was vacated in 2015 a total renovation and remodeling was undertaken.  With respect for architectural integrity, the house was brought into the modern era with a master suite, remodeled bath, a proper half bath, a sunny kitchen and new HVAC.

Parish Hall
In 1956, after years of raising funds by the Episcopal Church Women, the parish hall building was added. Mrs. William Stuart started the fund with $600.00, donated in memory of her husband. A plaque can be seen in the parish hall today. Charles Hawkins, a well-known local builder, was the contractor. Miss Margaret Mason, a former member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, left the parish $20,000.00 which was used to build the parish hall building at Trinity.

The building was enlarged in 1985 with money raised by the ECW. The Bromfield Meeting room was added at this time. In 2015 a total interior renovation was undertaken.  The kitchen was moved and reimagined.  A handicap elevator was installed that serves all three levels.  New floors, ceilings, lightings and HVAC were installed.

Late Twentieth Century
In 1973, a young priest, fresh out of the seminary, Jennings Hobson, III was called to serve as Trinity’s rector.  He would shepherd Trinity for 42 years.  During his tenure the congregation increased, a youth group was instituted, Sunday worship was expanded to three services including a special family worship, the young family dinners began, the small group suppers flourished and the Halloween extravaganza was established.  Trinity adopted a trade school in Haiti.  Trinity became involved in all aspects of community charitable life including the Food Bank and Benevolent Fund whose office is housed in Trinity House.

Trinity House
As need for more space became necessary, in 1992, the house across from the church was repurchased and renovated. Called Trinity House now, it houses our rector's office, the parish offices and the Benevolent Fund. In 2018-9, it was updated and modernized.
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Trinity Gardens
A small memorial garden was first developed in 1990 in the garth between the church building and parish hall. In 1999, the Trinity Church Garden Guild began transforming the side of the church facing Middle Street into a beautiful new landscaped garden complete with walking paths and benches.  The area around Trinity House was also beautified.