Construction has commenced on a new building located on the campus of Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island. This new building, fronting on historic Mill Street and Queen Anne Square, is the newest addition to the Trinity Church campus, which includes the original church building dating from 1726.
The new Educational & Administrative building measures 2800 square feet, and will include two new classrooms designed for Trinity Church’s growing Sunday School programs, nursery, handicap-accessible clergy offices, committee meeting rooms, and a 1500-square foot exterior terrace.
Norris Commodore, Senior Warden of Trinity Church states, “We are building on where Trinity has been for the last 300 years. This new building represents our commitment to our mission, including our growing Sunday School and accessible office space. This building will help move Trinity into the future, and serve our parish, and also the Newport community at large, for generations to come.”
The steel frame of the building is already installed and visible from the street. The building will have a high-performance walls and insulation system along with highly efficient mechanical and electrical systems to minimize its energy usage over time. Behan Brothers is the general contractor for the building, which is slated for completion in mid-2025.
According to architect Jeff Moniz, Jr. of 2 Hands Studio, who together with wife Melissa Breen, designed the building, “The design nods to the historical language of the overall Trinity campus by working with the existing material palette and forms, while the introduction of a glass facade facing Queen Anne’s square is a physical representation of Trinity’s openness and desire to interact with the surrounding community. “
The community celebrated the construction progress, which as been 12 years in the planning phases, on Sunday, November 17, 2024, with children from the Sunday School being provided Trinity Church-branded hard hats stating “We’re Building!” to take home. After a prayer and blessing from Interim Rector Timothy Safford, which was also attended by Edward Biddle, CFO, Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, Newport’s new Mayor-elect Charlie Holder offered a note of congratulations, stating “This is just the next step in connecting the past, present and future of Newport and Trinity Church.”
Trinity Church’s capital campaign has been the primary source of funds for construction of the building, which is nearly complete. While additional credit has also been secured including support from the Rhode Island Episcopal Diocese, final fundraising is underway, including the ability to sponsor and name certain components of the new building.
