Trinity Through the Years

Trinity Episcopal Church

In the post Civil war years, population increased near the railroad junction at Manassas.  This warranted establishing an Episcopal Church in the area, and in 1872, Trinity opened its doors as a mission church.

The church, consisting of about 10 dedicated persons, was served by missionary priests, including the Rev. Kinloch Nelson, the Rev. William W. Walker, and the Rev. Arthur P. Gray. who later wrote that he found "23 communicants, a debt of $60.00 on the organ, a mere shell of a building, no tower, no chancel, no pews, no furniture.  An old box turned upside down and covered with green cambric was used for a desk and a pulpit."

In 1888 the church had a fresh coat of paint and a new tower, as well as a marble baptismal font and a prayer desk that are still in use today.  In the 1890's, Trinity organized a Ladies' Guild, decorated the interior of the church, and purchased land to build a rectory.

By the turn of the century, the number of communicants had grown to 126.  U.S. involvement in World War I was at its height when a lawyer-turned-clergyman, the Rev. A. Stuart Gibson, took charge of Trinity.  He would remain at Trinity for 24 years and see the Parish through the building of a new church - and the beginning of a second World War.

In the 1950's, Trinity assisted with new ministries in Manassas Park and Triangle, Virginia.  In the 1960's the church bought adjoining property to build an educational wing.  The addition was built and dedicated in 1974.