Beginnings
Augusta Parish (Trinity Church), the oldest church in Staunton, was founded in 1746, one year after Augusta County became an independent entity, and one year before the City of Staunton was established. (Augusta was the wife of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and the mother of George III.) At their founding, the parish and county boundaries stretched from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Mississippi River and from the northern border of North Carolina/Tennessee to the Great Lakes. The first vestry was elected as the leadership of both the parish and the county. Of its twelve members, at least nine were Presbyterians. Only one, John Madison, father of the first Bishop of Virginia, James Madison, was definitely a member of the Church of England. Services were held in the courthouse until the parish built its own church.
In April 1747, the vestry elected the Reverend John Hindman the first rector. Land at the western edge of the city was given to the parish in 1749 by William Beverley. Three churches have been built on this site. The first, a brick building, was completed in 1763, probably where the church tower is now located. The cornerstone of the second building was laid in 1830, using some of the brick from the first church. By this time, Augusta Parish had become known as “Trinity Church.”
The Church Building
The present building was constructed in 1855, the outer aisles were added on in 1869–70, and the chancel was expanded in 1887–88. Considerable renovation was done in 1936, 1957, and 2000. The rectory was built in 1872 and the Parish House in 1874, the first in Virginia. From the time of its founding, the parish has been very much involved with the surrounding community. The first vestry was charged with a number of civic responsibilities. Over the years, Staunton mayors, city council members, and other community leaders have been parishioners.
The buildings have always been used for concerts, such as those during the Staunton Music Festival; charitable events; and community meetings. In 1775, the freeholders met at Trinity to consider their relationship with England. The Virginia Assembly, having crossed the Blue Ridge to escape the British army, met here June 7–23, 1781. A Windsor chair used in that meeting is on display in the corner of St. Columba’s Chapel. The Virginia Seminary was established at a Diocesan Council meeting at Trinity in 1824. During the Civil War, professors and students held classes in the church. Trinity Church has been a charter parish in three dioceses of the Episcopal Church: Virginia (est. 1785), Southern Virginia (1892), and Southwestern Virginia (1919).
During the renovation completed in 2000, a new Taylor & Boody organ was installed, along with new lighting, a wooden floor, air-conditioning, and new electrical and plumbing systems. The flat ceiling in the church was altered to improve acoustics. At the same time, the Parish House was also renovated, with the addition of a new kitchen; the refurbishment of classrooms, meeting spaces, and offices; and the installation of central air-conditioning and an elevator.
In Service
Trinity Church has served many people and many generations since 1746. Surely the Lord is in this place.
Churchyard
“When a youth, he fought for his country the war which achieved her independence.”
—From gravestone inscription, Archibald Stuart (1757–1832), Trinity churchyard
A walk through the Trinity churchyard provides a small history lesson of the area. On the left, immediately inside the front gate on West Beverley Street, is a ground marker placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution that lists the names of the Virginia General Assembly members who met here June 7–23, 1781.
Just ahead, behind the bench on the left in front of the church entrance, is a plaque describing the weathered tombstone of Dr. Alexander Humphreys, a medical pioneer who operated a training school for physicians in Staunton in the 1780s.
Farther along the walk on the left, across the lawn from the Humphreys stone, there is the very old, but still legible, tombstone of Roger North, who died in 1776. Nearby is an obelisk stone where John J. Young, a Revolutionary War hero, is buried. There are at least seventeen known American Revolution soldiers buried in the churchyard.
On the left, approximately twelve feet from the right turn along the walk, is the tombstone of little Lou Lou, aged two years and five months. This reminds us of how fragile life was in the frontier. Across the walk along the wall of the church is Trinity’s memorial garden, a burial place for ashes, marked by nameplates and a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The labyrinth was installed between the Parish House and the church building in 2010 and given in loving memory of Andrew Lane, 1983–2007.
Near the labyrinth toward the steps to Lewis Street are several flat stones, including one commemorating another hero of the American Revolution, General Samuel Blackburn.
Following the walkway to the right of the front entrance of the church, an obelisk stone can be seen near the fence that marks the grave of the Reverend Walter Q. Hullihen, a Confederate cavalry veteran who served as rector for forty-six years, from 1872–1918. Nearby is the grave of the Reverend W. Carroll Brooke, who was rector from 1939–1961 and noted for being a strong civil rights advocate.
Toward the far end of the church, next to the southwest chancel wall, will be found the grave markers of early prominent residents of Staunton, the Stuart family.
The Trinity churchyard was the only public burying ground in Staunton for many years and was closed to the public when Thornrose Cemetery was opened, in 1853. There are many beautiful and historic markers, only a few being described here. An expert conservation consultant has prepared a comprehensive assessment of all the stones and monuments. Much of the recommended restoration work has been accomplished, and more is planned. Many descendants of the people interred here are current members of Trinity Church. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to come explore this beautiful and historic churchyard.
View the History of Trinity Churchyard Compiled by Elizabeth Hullihen.
This history and guide to the graves present in the Trinity Churchyard was first produced in the 1950’s or 1960’s and contains an index of the names of those buried in the churchyard and a list of the grave inscriptions catalogued by their location on the property. The guide was updated in 2005, so an additional index is at the end of the booklet.
Member Registers 1850 – Present
The parish office maintains member registers from 1850 until present day of births, baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials. Visitors can view these materials by appointment at the church office. We also have a book on the history of the church for purchase in the church office. Contact us if you’re interested.