History:

In 1994 Trinity Episcopal Church celebrated the 200th anniversary of the first Episcopal service in Rutland, Vermont. In honor of this event a history of the parish was compiled and published. The history of Trinity was written by Audrey Murdock, who was then Parish Historian, with assistance from Rev. Christopher Powell and Deacon Mary Pratt.

The Old State House which was built around 1775 and demolished in the early 1900s, was on West Street facing Court Square and situated close to the Rutland Armory. The State Legislature met here in October 1784 and 1786, and the first Episcopal service in Rutland was held here on March 4, 1794.

In 1832 Vermont became a diocese separate from the Eastern Diocese which had formerly included New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. On April 22 the first Vestry of Trinity Church was appointed. On this same day, a committee was formed to purchase a site for an Episcopal Church building in Rutland. The group soon purchased a parcel of land for $450 on the west side of North Main Street, a little north of West Street.

The Church, designed by Bishop John Henry Hopkins, was built entirely of wood with a square tower in the center containing the present bell (which was first rung March 11, 1855). It had a basement which was used for Sunday School and for weekday services.

In 1849 the railroad came to Rutland and the town began to expand. As a result there was soon a need for a new church building. Plans were put on hold due to the outbreak of the Civil War, but in 1863 the site was selected and purchased for our present church building. On August 16, 1865, the new Trinity Church was consecrated by Bishop Hopkins. Bishop Hopkins had been the rector of Trinity and was responsible for planning and designing the new church.

Under the direction of the fifth Rector, the Rev. William J. Harris, (1870 - 1876) the chapel was designed and built. The Women of Trinity defrayed the entire cost of building the chapel, $2,500. In the chapel is the marble altar mensa and the chancel chairs from our first church. The chapel was completed in 1876 and has been continuously used for weekday services and by the Sunday School. The chapel was blessed on Sunday, April 24, 1994 by Bishops John Smith and Harvey Butterfield (former rectors at Trinity). It was named "Hopkins Chapel" in memory of the Right Reverend John Henry Hopkins.