Our History
Depending on whose records you follow, we may be the oldest church in Folsom, and the third oldest Episcopal church in California. Founded in 1856, Trinity Church has made significant contributions to the community since the pioneer era. For example, the Twin Lakes Food Bank began as a ministry of this church and is now supported by many area churches, civic organizations, and the Folsom Police.
The first church meetings were held in the old Hook and Ladder Company Hall on Sutter Street. Our church building was constructed in 1861 and is a fine example of the Carpenter Gothic style. Renovated in 1985, it is listed in the Historic American Building Survey.
Some More History of Trinity Church
By Victor Rodman, 2007
“What kind of pews did we have in Trinity Church prior to the ones that are in there now?” Lesley Yates recently asked this question of me and I will tell you the history of them. The original pews were made of fir slabs that were well made and served their purpose. Fr. Tom Ward, Rector at the time, asked if there was any way that we could have new pews. Although the church did not have the money, he wanted to know what we could do. I asked if it was OK to design one and see if it meets his approval, which I did, and his answer was an immediate yes and how do we proceed? My wife Peggy and I were very much involved in church activities. We were treasurers for three years and built or remodeled many things during this time, so we decided to ask each member of the church to make a donation of $29.00 which was to cover the cost of making one pew. I purchased the material that I needed at Woods Brothers on North 12th Street in Sacramento, and because I was a correctional officer at Folsom Prison, I was able to take my saw blades there to have them sharpened at no cost. The cutting and assembling of the pews was done in my garage at home with the help of my friend Tom Bridge. However, the last four pews I worked on was while I was on crutches because I had fallen off a ladder while picking olives. There is no record of the exact date these pews were installed, but they were made in 1962 and 1963. Leon and Mary Lewis came to Trinity Church in late 1963 and he said that the pews were there before they came. Unfortunately there is no record available of the people that made the donations either, but the important thing is that they were made entirely with donations. Other items to be made were requested by Fr. Tom, such as the Tabernacle, Credence table, shallow drawers for vestments, and the altar railing. The Tabernacle was made from two oak table leaves from our own round table, using a borrowed router to do the design on the front. The Credence table was made from mahogany wood from a shipping crate that Walter Koeber had brought back from South America.
In 1975, it was determined that we needed a new free-standing altar and teak wood was selected for the frame. This presented a problem because the wood needed to be surfaced. Our then future son-in-law, Donn Kegel, was in the military, and we took the lumber to McClellan Air Force Base to use their planer, and the altar was created and installed. Daughter Nancy and Donn were married in front of the new altar, as Nancy had been christened, baptized and then married at Trinity church.
When the church was remodeled in 1985, four more pews were needed and I was lucky to still have the templates to complete them. Fr. Porter granted permission to have cushions made for the pews, a color was selected and the cost came from the Thrift Shop account. The chandelier lights were made at this time as well as the hymn board. The brides’ room was moved to the parish office and Basil Burnstad and I portioned off the original long room, put in plumbing, doors and fixtures to provide two separate bathrooms.