Holy Trinity Church Inwood

An Episcopal parish serving Inwood and northern Manhattan

Japanese Maple removed, donated to Wave Hill

Workers from Wave Hill remove a Japanese Maple. Photo by the Vicar.

[Holy Trinity Inwood, Manhattan] Workers removed a beloved Japanese Maple from Holy Trinity’s garden Friday morning.

The tree will be moved to its new home at Wave Hill garden and cultural center in Riverdale.

In addition to the maple, long-time Holy Trinity garden volunteer, Ms. Genna Westwood, has secured new homes for several other trees, rose bushes, and plants.

“It’s very gratifying that most of the plants are going on to beautify other gardens in the neighborhood,” Ms. Westwood said, adding that Bruce Reynolds Garden, Isham Park North Garden, Isham Family Memorial Garden, Monarch Butterfly Waystation, and Spuyten Duyvill Preschool are among the recipients.

Historical parish records placed in diocesan archives

Holy Trinity parishioners Alanna Burke and Michael McGuinness place boxes into the archives. Photo by the Vicar.

[Holy Trinity Inwood, Manhattan] Volunteers from Holy Trinity Inwood delivered historical records from the 151-year-old parish to the Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of New York today.

Mr. Wayne Kempton, diocesan archivist, received the sacramental registers, photos, vestry minutes, and other artifacts, which are now safely stored in their new home.

Diocesan Bishop Andrew Dietsche greeted the Vicar and parishioners from Inwood and expressed his gratitude to them for helping the Episcopal Church in New York preserve its history.

Both the Bishop and Mr. Kempton remarked how Holy Trinity is “leading the way” for parishes all over the Diocese, as the church grapples with a changing spiritual and cultural landscape.

Organ removed in anticipation of renovation

Pipes are removed and staged for loading. Photo by the Vicar.

[Holy Trinity Inwood, Manhattan] Workers began the removal of the church’s pipe organ yesterday morning in anticipation of its restoration and reinstallation in a planned new sanctuary.

The A. Thompson-Allen Company (ATA Co.) of New Haven, Conn., was retained to remove and store the Austin Organ, built in 1928.

“It’s a nice little instrument,” Mr. Nicholas Thompson-Allen of ATA Co. said. “It’s in ‘mint-restorable’ condition,” he added.

Holy Trinity’s sanctuary was deconsecrated and secularized on June 16, 2019 in a ceremony presided over by Bishop Allen Shin, suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Over 50 people attended the afternoon service.

“I’m excited, things are really starting to move forward,” Ms. Alanna Burke, Holy Trinity Advisory Board Member Class of ’22 said while watching the work crew shoulder and carry off 20′ pipes.

A complete specification of the organ, Austin Organ Opus 1591 (1928), can be found on the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists’s website, or by clicking here.

“Temporary” sanctuary deconsecrated after 96 years

Friends and neighbors joined parishioners for the deconsecration.

[Holy Trinity Inwood, Manhattan] Parishioners, neighbors, and friends gathered on Trinity Sunday, June 16, 2019, to say goodbye to their old church sanctuary.

The Rt. Rev. Allen Shin, suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, presided over the service of deconsecration and the secularization of the church. Over 50 people attended the afternoon service.

The church was built a temporary structure 96 years ago for the Inwood Mission of the Redeemer. The mission merged with Holy Trinity Church New York in 1927. Plans for a gothic-style church and rectory on the corner of Seaman Avenue and Cumming Street were never completed.

Neighbors and friends joined parishioners at a cookout and potluck following the service. Worship services will be held next week in the Parish House.

Holy Trinity publishes Parish House Renovation and Congregational Continuity F.A.Q.

[Holy Trinity Inwood, Manhattan] Holy Trinity published Parish House Renovation and Congregational Continuity F.A.Q. today.

“We want to be as clear as possible with our parishioners and neighbors about what is happening at Holy Trinity,” the Rev. J. W.  Dell, the parish vicar, said. “But there are some questions we don’t have answers to yet,” he added.

Vicar Dell said the church plans to update the F.A.Q. periodically.

Click here to access the F.A.Q.

Vicar presents plans to Community Board

The Rev. J. W.  Dell speaks to members of Community Board 12.

The Rev. J. W.  Dell, vicar of Holy Trinity Inwood, presented an update on the church’s development plans to the Land Use Committee of Manhattan Community Board 12 on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. For a link to the presentation, click here.

From Vicar Dell’s email to the Holy Trinity community:

Last night I had the opportunity to present an update on our development plans to the Land Use Committee of Community Board 12. I was joined by members of our Advisory Board (a.k.a. the vestry) and several other members of the congregation were also present.

I have been giving the Land Use Committee regular updates for almost two years now and have always been graciously received. Last night was no exception as committee members and members of the public all engaged in a respectful and informative discussion.

I am happy to say that the committee both understands our needs and is supportive of our plans. The chair of the committee, Mr. Wayne Benjamin, thanked Holy Trinity for engaging the community early and often while another committee member praised our efforts as a model of outreach for others to follow.

For your own information and so that you can inform friends and neighbors who may be asking you, “What is going on at Holy Trinity?” I encourage you to have a look at my presentation here. You can also like it on Facebook and Instagram.