History 1863-1963

    The St. Joseph River flows, serenely along the south side of Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers. Not too far from the bank of the river, on a rise, is the grave of the Reverend Voltaire Spalding "A Priest in the Church of God and the first Rector of Trinity Church Three Rivers". 

     Father Spalding, a skeptic in his younger days, entered the ministry when he was fifty-three years old. Before that, he had walked from Detroit to Niagara Falls in winter; had been a land agent (United States Government) for the Northwest Territory and had traveled the Indian trails from Detroit to Fort Dearborn (now Chicago) with packhorses carrying silver dollars to pay Indians for land. He was graduated from Nashotah House (seminary) in 1851. Father Spalding had been named Voltaire, but after he embraced the Christian faith he always avoided the use of his first name, and invariably signed himself "V." Spalding.

     The Reverend V. Spalding first came to Three Rivers in 1863. In his own words: "I came over here to see an old friend and remained over Sunday…and, as my custom is, I sought and obtained the best opportunity I could of proclaiming my Master's message…in the Presbyterian meeting house, to a large congregation of all sorts of people. To my surprise, I found that a considerable number amongst them had been accustomed to the Church services…responses were made and chants sung." 

     "Many of his listeners, tired of political preaching and praying, were favorably impressed. They asked Father Spalding to hold services again on the following Sunday in a hall temporarily fitted for this purpose.  The hall was filled to capacity.

     The next Sunday, the Rev. W. N. Lyster of Cambridge (who according to his own statement had been invited earlier for this purpose) came to Three Rivers and assisted the people in the preliminary steps of organizing the Church. At this meeting, in the afternoon of the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, a little band of people in a village of some 250 inhabitants, cheerfully assumed the expense and responsibility of a Church.

     Articles of Agreement of First Organization of the Church were signed September 14, 1863.  On September 28, 1863, the first meeting of Trinity Church of Three Rivers was held, and wardens and vestrymen elected. A week later, a meeting was held to hear a report from the Committee on subscriptions. $400 had been subscribed.

     Bishop McCoskry (Diocese of Michigan) visited Three Rivers about the middle of October. On the 26th, a Letter of Invitation was written to the Rev. V. Spalding calling him to the Rectorship of Trinity Church, with a salary of $500 per annum. His letter of acceptance was dated the same day. 

     The Vestry rented a spacious hall, 100 ft. long, in the upper story of a large brick building. From a free-will offering of $500 and with some remodeling, the hall was converted into a "handsome and convenient church in all particulars." The church included a narthex, and pews for 250 to 300 persons properly arranged with an aisle. There was an altar, recess chancel, pulpit, altar rail, choir loft, and desk and vestry room. The Vestry included, in this original expense, the necessary wood burning stove and oil lamps. The hall was used first for services on the 22nd of November. In this upper room the Rev. V. Spalding "taught his people of the church whose service is reasonable and worship spiritual".

     The salary of the Rector was raised largely by the rent of the church pews. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, the only service at which alms were taken. At the close of this service the Rector gathered the children of the parish in class to learn the catechism "having exhorted the parents to prepare the innocents for such service."

     The parish was admitted into union with Convention June 1, 1864.

     Father Spalding resigned April 22, 1866. He received a call to Dexter, Michigan and moved his family there.

     The Rev. William Charles entered upon his duties as Rector on the second Sunday in July 1866. Adept in organization, Father Charles organized a Sunday school, a class in catechism, a choir. He "organized a church sociable and persuaded the Vestry and parish generally that the interest of the society, in Three Rivers, demanded the building of a church edifice.

     A committee of David M. Bateman and Isaac Crossette selected a suitable site for the building. Lots were purchased, $3000 was pledged, and the building foundation laid in May, 1867. Civil War prices of building material and labor made the task seem almost colossal, but the church in due time was fitted for public worship.

     The Society of Trinity Church was first organized on Monday evening, August 13, 1866 at the home of Mrs. T. M. Clark. Mrs. Clark was elected president.  Within a year, the ladies had paid for a cabinet organ, Prayer Books and Bible, and had donated $97.00 to the Vestry.  The church, built of brick, was completed in 1867.

     Father Charles resigned on Easter, 1868.  On a motion by Steven Kelsey, the Rev. Alexander H. Rogers of the Diocese of Western New York was called to the Rectorate of the parish at a salary of $500 per annum.

     At Easter in 1870 the church became, by unanimous vote, a "free church" and the letting of pews was discontinued. The church, "Mr. Rogers’ first interest, was remodeled, new seats were installed, chancel and choir elaborated, its numbers increased--social societies, sewing circles, reading circles, all so ably and quietly maintained, as to avoid friction." Illness compelled Father Rogers' resignation in December, 1870; the Rev. Mortimer A. Hyde assuming charge in September 1870.  During Father Hyde's tenure a substantial Parish library was organized, open to the general public. At this time, too, the ladies of the church bought a "set of elegant chancel chairs, a sedelium, credence table, and embroidered cloths for lectern and pulpit."

     Father Hyde resigned in November, 1871 and the Rev. Henry McClory took charge at Easter, 1872. The Sunday school added a font to the church furnishings. However, the little parish had assumed a heavy burden with the church building. The debt with interest charges made an "unsupportable financial obligation." The communicant list which had begun with 26 in 1864 and increased to 55 in 1872, had dropped to 35 in 1874. Parish members were discouraged by debt, removals, and desertions.

     Father McClory resigned in June, 1873. He left the parish ministry to enter the legal profession. It was a year later, in June of 1874, that the Reverend M. Erastus Buck was appointed deacon.

     The young Mr. Buck worked with enthusiasm, the parish members rallied, and the heavy debt on the church building was entirely paid by Easter, 1875. In addition, there was enough money to build a church spire.

     The Diocese of Michigan was divided in 1874. At that time, the Rev. V. Spalding (Rector of Christ Church, St. Joseph) and M. Erastus Buck, Deacon of Three Rivers were present at the convention called to organize the Diocese of Western Michigan. Both were active at this meeting and assisted in electing the Rt. Rev. George D. Gillespie as first Bishop of the new diocese.

     The Rev. M. Erastus Buck, deacon, was ordained to the priesthood in his own church on May 23, 1875. Services were well attended, the communicant list increased to 61. The Sunday school had six teachers and 34 pupils. New books were added to the Parish library, increasing the selection to 135 volumes.

     Father Buck resigned September 29, 1876.  A period of depression hit Trinity Church. The Church building was rented to the Baptists. In 1883 the General Missionary held services in a private house. The charming little church, in its setting of locust, walnut, elm and maple shade trees, had been so desecrated that "our people have no desire to enter into it in its present shape for the purpose of worship". When the Bishop planned a visit in November, 1884, the church was reopened.  The building was cleaned, windows were repaired, and a new carpet put in the chancel. The women of the church revived the Sunday school, and met during Lent the following year for Daily Offices.

     The wardens had died, and no-vestry had been elected for several years.  Unable to find men who would assume responsibility, the Bishop appointed three ladies to take charge of the property and discharge all other duties required for the continued existence of the parish. Because of heating problems, the building was used only during the summer.

     In 1887 the Rev. A. Wetherbee officiated once a month. By 1890 the property had been deeded to the Association of the Diocese. The devoted women never surrendered to despair; in 1891 they formed a guild and raised money for the always necessary repairs and improvements on the church.

     In the summer of 1893 the parish was revived. The church was reopened for services, with Joseph H. Ivie, a Candidate for Holy Orders, resident and in charge. The next summer, 1894, another student lay reader, C. R. Steams, took charge. He reported 18 communicants.

     Trinity Church lost its parochial status and became an organized mission June 1, 1896.  From then until 1905 the Rev. William Lucas of Allegan was in charge.

     An extract from the record kept by the Ladies Guild, November 19, 1902: 

          "This day, thirty-nine years after the organization by the Rev. Voltaire Spalding, Trinity Church was consecrated by George De Normandie Gillespie, D.D. Bishop of the Diocese of Western Michigan, being Wednesday after the 25th Sunday after Trinity. 1902."

     (The Rev. William Lucas Priest-in-charge).

     A commercial traveler, who made his headquarters in Three Rivers, brought new life to Trinity. He arrived in 1895, with a lay reader's license from the Bishop of the diocese of his former residence. Seeing the plight of the parish, he offered his service to Bishop Gillespie.  When Mr. Jameson came to Three Rivers the people of the parish were few and discouraged.  He brought the people together and encouraged them to make a new start. Some new communicants moved to Three Rivers.  The church building was repaired. Mr. William C. Squire, a Churchman from Philadelphia, organized a boy's choir of fourteen voices. On Easter, 1896, Mr, Squire made a memorial gift of a gilded cross on the church spire. Mr. Jameson presented the church in March, 1896, with a window for the west end of the church, depicting the "Rock of Ages". A full set of altar hangings and Communion linen was given that same year by Mr. Squire's mother.

     Mr. Jameson left in 1898. Parishioners and newcomers, set to work.  They sold the lot next to the church for $590, and managed to raise enough additional money to have the church roofed and to replace the long broken and boarded windows. The Ladies' Guild held services during Lent.

     Mr. Jameson returned to the diocese as a Candidate for Holy Orders February, 1903 and was assigned to Three Rivers.  In June, 1904, he was ordained deacon in his church, and was appointed to St. John's, Ionia, following his ordination.

     Three Rivers came under the charge of the General Missionary once again.  In 1905 only two communicants were reported. The church was valued at $3000.

     The Bishop Coadjutor visited Trinity Mission in 1906. The church had been closed from January 15, 1905. In response to his offer of services, the answer was returned "we have no wood and no money to buy any." The mission was perhaps at its lowest ebb at this time.  The Bishop Coadjutor held a service in 1906 and the Rev. C.J.DeCoux of Niles gave "an occasional ministration in 1906-08." To add to the problems of the mission, the church was damaged by fire in April, 1909. The fire seemed to provide the impetus needed for action. Rebuilding commenced at once.

     In December of 1909, the Rev. C. D. Frankel was appointed Priest-in-charge in connection with Homer and Mendon.

     In 1910 the Vestry put down a new floor. An altar and pews from Union City Grace Church were given to Trinity (Grace Church was closed that year). The chancel was extended and improved, and the church made attractive.

     The Rev. William Puree took charge of the field in 1912. A ten-day mission of instruction, held by Father Hastings of Elkhart, Indiana, helped the parish spiritually. Christmas Eve of that year, a vested choir made its first appearance. A pair of three-panelled candelabra was given as a memorial gift, on the Feast of All Saints, 1912.

     In 1913 a brass altar cross was given for a memorial. Members of the Mission took "the walnut lumber in the basement" and made a re-redos.

     By 1916, when the Rev. F. A. Patterson of Sturgis had charge of the mission, 22 communicants were reported; and the property valuation was $4,100.

     Three Rivers Mission, like several others during this period, survived through the years “not with the aid of circumstances but in spite of them. Feeble in numbers and financial ability, their survival is due to the indomitable perseverance and devotion on the part of faithful souls."

     In 1923, services were held at Three Rivers Mission, offered by an energetic corps of lay readers from St. Luke's, Kalamazoo.

     By 1929 extensive repairs became necessary for Trinity Church. The people of the mission managed to restore the furnace, repair the organ, shingle the sacristy, and cement the floor of the tower, but they needed help for plastering and a new roof.  An appeal was made for funds. One year later, this work had been completed at a cost of $1,244. A service of re-opening was held, with the Archdeacon celebrating Holy Communion.

     In these years Trinity was under charge of the Archdeacon and Messrs.  Scanes, Gilfillan, and Pierce, lay-readers of Kalamazoo, kept up regular Sunday services. Then in 1935 it was discovered that the tower was in danger of collapsing, and $300 was borrowed for its repair.   There were 31 communicants reported that year.

     Trinity Mission, Three Rivers, was joined with Dowagiac and Paw  Paw in 1936 under the Rev. J. A. McNulty.

     On June 9, 1940 a resident clergyman once again settled at Three Rivers, with charge of Mendon. With the Rev. Mr. Richard Cooper came new hope and new life. On November 30th he was ordained to the priesthood in his own church.

     After three-quarters of a century, Trinity Church began a steady forward movement. A program of renovation of the Church building, so long neglected, was begun. The members of the mission, together with the priest, struggled with the smoky furnace and the lack of funds with  spirit and determination. It was during these war years that the Church as we know it today in Three Rivers began to take shape.  A new dossal was made by the priest's mother; the Altar Guild was formed, and made red, purple, and green hangings for the altar, pulpit and lectern, as well as some of the vestments still in use. The vestments were blessed in late 1940. The rectory on West Street was purchased   with the encouragement of Bishop Whittemore, who attended a meeting in Three Rivers on November 11, 1941. The abstract for the rectory was received in January 1942. Purchase price, $2750.

     In July of 1942 a tornado damaged the chimney of the rectory, tore off shingles from the roof, and blew off the back porch. This same storm took the steeple off the church building.

     In 1944, a tabernacle for the Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament and a sanctuary lamp, were blessed by the Bishop on December 3rd.

     Judge Van Selous gave a bell for the tower. This had been previously used by the Methodists at Florence.

     Father Cooper resigned in 1945. John McCarty, a Seminarian, held services during the interim until Father Foley came in 1946. While Mr. McCarty was here at this time a drive was made for new carpeting for the church, and for an organ.

     While, the Rev. Francis J. Foley was in Three Rivers a letter was received from the Rt. Rev. Bishop Lewis Bliss Whittemore offering $1,000 from the Diocese if Trinity Church would raise $400 to construct a basement under the church building. A meeting of the Vestry was called. This project was begun in 1946 at a total cost of $1400.

     A new furnace was purchased and installed.

     On February 2, 1947 (Septuagesima Sunday), the Rt. Rev. Lewis Bliss Whittemore dedicated the organ, the carpet, the tower bell, and new lights for the church. The kneeling benches were padded at this time.  Father Foley resigned in 1949 to go to Traverse City. From February to December 1950 services were conducted by Mr. John McPheeters with the help of the Priory. 

     In 1946 the community of Three Rivers was enriched by St. Gregory's Priory, which moved here from Indiana.  It was a small group of American monks, a dependence of Nashdom Abbey, Burnham, Buckinghamshire, England. They have been most generous in assisting Trinity Church to continue with services at times when there has been no resident priest.

     In 1951, a new sacristy was built on to the church, at a cost of $1260.  The Rev. John McCarty came to Trinity Church in 1951.  It was during this time that the sacristy was built, and a new dossal curtain was made by Mrs. Loring Clipfell. 

     By 1952 there were 117 communicants, with a total of 52 families. New walnut doors were added to the church building. The roof was repaired once again.

     The budget adopted for 1953 was $7407.49.  In November of that year the treasurer's report indicated that all delinquent bills had been paid and that the balance on the rectory had been paid and the mortgage discharged. Excerpt from September 2, 1953 Bishop's Committee meeting: "Motion made by Howell Brooks and seconded by Homer McKindley: that this church Mission apply for a Parish status and become a Parish, at the Diocesan meeting January 1st. Motion carried." Communicants:  in 1953, 139. Families, 65. '

     Father McCarty resigned in 1953, because of an accident which made it impossible for him to continue actively his duties as Rector. Once again the Priory was generous in assisting Trinity Church with priests to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and enable the church to continue its activities.

     In 1954 the Rev. Dwight Filkins was called to Trinity Church.  On January 27, 1954 Trinity again officially became a parish according to the letter received from the Bishop. 

     In 1956 choir vestment cabinets were installed in the basement.

     By February of 1957church attendance had dropped. Income from pledges was approximately one-third that of the previous year.  A special parish meeting was held on July 22, 1957 and members voted to purchase a new rectory on North Main Street adjacent to the church building and to sell the house on West Street. The cost was $14,000.

     Father Filkins left in 1958, and again, the Priory assisted Trinity, Church.

     The Rev. Robert Gerhard was called by the Vestry in 1959 and his first Sunday in residence was April 12. During this year the doors on the sacristy were changed. A new altar rail was designed by Dom Francis Bacon OSB, and made by Dom Leo Pugsley at no cost for labor.

     A new sign was acquired for the church lawn.  The furnace was converted to gas. Church attendance increased. All bills were paid and $261 left on hand at the end of the year.

     The outside of the church was refinished in 1960; all the brick tuck pointed and crumbling bricks replaced, with old bricks from other old buildings which had been demolished. The yard was landscaped. The sacristy was remodeled, with new cabinets. Cupboards were built for the church school, and new choir Vestments purchased.

     In 1961 a letter was received from Bishop Bennison complimenting Trinity Church on the physical condition and appearance of the church and grounds. The rectory was remodeled.

     A new stained glass window symbolizing the Holy Trinity was installed in the sanctuary in 1962 to replace one blown out by the tornado of 1961. This was given by Mrs. John VanNorsdall.

     Father Gerhard resigned in 1962 to go to Barrington, Illinois.

     The Rev. Lyman E. Howard accepted a call from the Vestry and came to Trinity Church on All Saints Day in 1962 and was instituted on November 15 at which time Bishop Bennison also blessed the new Trinity window.

     After one hundred years of struggle. Trinity Church, Three Rivers seems well-established. The faith and optimism of the first group of worshipers who met in the upstairs room has been justified. The words of The Rev. V. Spalding, who said, "But I know something of the difficulties and obstacles in the way of such an undertaking, which I apprehend you do not." have proved to be prophetic.

 

Trinity Episcopal Church

321 North Main Street

Three Rivers, MI  49093

(269) 273-3795