Holy Trinity
Episcopal Church

Our Beliefs, Our History

What we believe

As a parish church of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina our mission and vision flows from the dioceses’ larger purpose: To respond to the Great Commission by so presenting Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that all may come to know Him as Savior and follow Him as Lord in the fellowship of His Church.

In addition to being a constituent diocese of the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of South Carolina, and therefore Holy Trinity Church, is a member of the Anglican Communion Network of Dioceses and Parishes (ACN), whose vision and core values are as follows:

Vision: To be a united Anglican missionary movement in North America of such irresistible spiritual power in Word and Sacrament that people are drawn to a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ and become members of the Body of Christ, His Church. We will be known for our commitment to evangelical faith and catholic order.

Core Values: The Unchanging Gospel: We will uphold the uniqueness of Christ crucified and risen, the only Lord and Savior of the world, and the authority of Scripture, the rule and ultimate standard of faith.

• Commitment to Prayer: We will bathe our movement in prayer, seeking to follow the mind of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Missionary Zeal: We will embody a passion to lead every unbeliever in each generation to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, in fulfillment of the Great Commission, globally and locally.
• Serving Those in Need: We will reach out with the compassion of Jesus to the poor, the broken, the lost and those who are persecuted for the cause of Christ.
• Mutual Self-Sacrifice: We will live as brothers and sisters who will lay down our lives for one another in the face of risk and opposition.
• Strategic Partnerships: We will forge lively partnerships with biblically faithful Christians of other Churches and with Anglicans in other associations in North America.

As Anglicans we are guided by

• The Book of Common Prayer
• The 39 Articles of Religion
• The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral (1888)
  (a) The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as "containing all things necessary to salvation," and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
  (b) The Apostles' Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
  (c) The two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself--Baptism and the Supper of the Lord--ministered with unfailing use of Christ's words of Institution, and of the elements ordained by Him.
  (d) The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the Unity of His Church.
  

How we carry out that belief

The Main Thing

Leading churchless people to the passionate obedience of Jesus Christ.

The Vision

1. To be well. To be ordered by God in our minds, our relationships, and our facilities. New Godly boundaries will be established that will prevail against the world, the flesh, and the devil. They will also ensure that we steward our resources, buildings, and land in such ways that through them God is glorified for years to come.

2. To become the church West of the Ashley where young families flock to hear the
Word of God and become empowered by the Holy Spirit for ministry in their homes
and neighborhoods.

The Holy Trinity Story-50 years of Ministry

The Rev. Marshall E. Travers, a former Rector of St. Philip’s Church, in October, 1956, established a mission church in the Windemere section of West Ashley, under the authority of Bishop Carruthers. Mr. Travers and his wife, Harriet, were joined in this endeavor by a small group of enthusiastic laymen.

With much preparation and work the Ashley Theater in Avondale was made into a place of worship. As the bells pealed in Charleston on the beautiful Sunday morning of October 21, 1956, a group of concerned and dedicated Episcopalians gathered for the first worship service at Holy Trinity Mission.

A beautiful site on Folly Road, a rapidly developing area, was made available through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dwight (Mrs. Travers’ family). While the congregation continued to meet in the Ashley Theater, the new church was built; it would serve as both church and parish hall. Ted Boinest, of Boinest Construction Co. oversaw the construction team and the church was completed in the fall of 1957.

The Rev. George Chassey became the second Rector of Holy Trinity on All Saints Day, 1963, and the parish continued to grow under his guidance. The congregation planned to build a new sanctuary and architectural plans were drawn. Shortly after Father Chassey’s arrival, a decision was made to build an education building and parish hall to accomodate an overflowing membership, rather than a new church.

The next rector, Father John Ecklin Taylor, assumed direction of Holy Trinity in March, 1970. Under his strong pastoral guidance the parish continued to grow and serve in the community and in mission. The parish continued its close relationship with the Dominican Republic and some years later Father Skilton would comment, “It was difficult to follow in his [Father Taylor’s] footsteps because of his great pastoral skills.” Father Taylor served as rector until December, 1975.

The Rev. William Jones Skilton was chosen and began his ministry at Holy Trinity in March, 1976. Father Skilton had been in the mission field in the Dominican Republic. He continued to encourage interest in, and active support for, local and worldwide missions. The parish assisted two parishioners to attend seminary and also supported a young man to attend the Philippine Independent Seminary. The Episcopal Young Churchmen was also active in missions and during a trip to the Dominican Republic were given the wooden Children’s Processional Cross still used in our worship.

In 1978, the parish hall was renovated and dedicated as Mathewes Hall in honor of a long time member, Christopher Mathewes, who was known as “Mr. Holy Trinity” for his activity in and support of the parish.

During this time a new tradition was started that continues today. Our beloved outdoor breakfast and service, Breakfast by the Sea, was formed as a way to emphasize what it means to follow Jesus (His breakfast by The Sea of Gallilee with His disciples). We ate by the “sea” under the Wappoo Bridge and worshiped as boats sailed by and the bridge was raised and lowered. Over the years we held confirmation and baptismal services at Breakfast by the Sea. After the area was paved by the city the location was changed a couple of times; we celebrated on the Battery a few years, joined by a number of passers-by and tourists. The service is now celebrated on Holy Trinity’s grounds; 2007 was our 29th year of holding this service.

Six years after the Mathewes Hall renovation, plans for renovation of the church structure were implemented. This expansion widened the church, creating side aisles; in the Chancel area, the altar was moved forward and a new choir loft constructed behind it. The sacristy was enlarged and space was made for an acolyte dressing room.

One of the rooms in Travers Hall was made into a chapel, later named All Saints Chapel, and the old choir pews and part of the old altar rail were used there. A service in the chapel on Thursday at noon allowed people to attend during their lunch hour. That weekday service is now on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

The Daughters of the King planned and planted a Prayer Garden for the parish which was dedicated on Father Skilton’s last Sunday at Holy Trinity in August 1985. The garden provides a quiet place for parishioners to pray at any time of day; a quiet place to sit and pray or meditate. A place for it is planned on the courtyard lawn in our Master Plan.

The Rev. Jeffrey Kittredge was selected as the fifth rector of Holy Trinity and began his ministry in May, 1986. Under Father Kittredge’s direction and guidance the parish began even more in-depth Bible study, prayer, and interest and involvement in missions.

A parishioner donated a stained glass window for the narthex. Designed by another parishioner, an artist, and made by a parishioner who owned a stained glass studio, the picture of Jesus with arms outstretched is a reminder to all of His welcome to all peoples. In December, 1993, Father Kittredge was called to a Church in Florida and Holy Trinity prepared for the next step in its walk as a parish family. On a sad note for Holy Trinity, Father Jeff died in 2006, of Lou Gerhig’s disease.

The Rev. Woodleigh Volland was chosen as the sixth rector and started his ministry here in July, 1994. Holy Trinity saw change and growth and flourished under his dynamic leadership. The small group concept was revitalized and a number of NewLife groups were formed, involving 50-60 parishioners who met, studied and shared weekly. New staff in the persons of a Director of Family Ministries, a Pastoral Associate and a Youth Minister were added. Father Volland resigned in June 2001. The Rev. Frank Seignious became our Interim Rector in September 2001 and led the church for the next two years.

The Rev. Peter Mitchell became th seventh rector in December 2003. The congregation was excited to begin a new era of ministry with Father Peter and Amy, who were expecting twins (a girl and a boy) two months after their arrival at Holy Trinity.
Father Peter’s ministry among us has helped unify our church family and refocus our efforts on the ministry God wants Holy Trinity to do. His love and encouragement, through prayer and teaching, are creating an atmosphere where all our people can learn and grow in meaningful worship and fellowship.

Over the past three years a new focus of what we are here to do, and a vision of how to do that has been developed. It includes deepening our relationships with God and each other and stewarding our resources. A Master Plan has been developed that, in stages, will enhance and beautify our buildings and grounds to make Holy Trinity a peaceful place for families to learn, worship and grow in God’s will and Word.

Funds have been, and continue to be, raised for the phases of our renovations beginning with securing, defining, and improving the perimeter of our property. Part of that is creating beautiful, efficient, usable outdoor spaces. This construction has begun and will enhance our property and our outdoor activities.

Holy Trinity is vital and growing, creating a place where people can come to know Jesus Christ in a life-changing way and be enabled and empowered to serve Him as Lord and Savior. Last year a Children’s Family Service was started and is now offered at 9:30 a.m. It is a half-hour service for children and their families. The children serve as acolytes and take up the offering. It is usually attended by about 30 adults and children.

Right after the Children's Family Service, children of all ages meet for Sunday School in Mathewes Hall for a snack, Bible related games, stories and crafts. In summer 2006, we hired a Youth Minister who is revitalizing our youth. They meet weekly and attendance from our kids and their friends, even kids from other churches, has been awesome.

As we look forward to the future God has in store for us, we can be thankful for His guidance, support and comfort. In return, we must continue to be faithful in prayer, study and worship. We must be open to doing the ministry set before us in such ways that God is glorified through all that we do, and all that we are, in our lives.