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Downtown Vicksburg Mississippi Walking Tour
Item 8 of 13
The Church of the Holy Trinity is one of the finest examples of Romanesque Revival architecture in Mississippi. Built between 1870 and 1894, it is home to an Episcopal congregation which was founded in 1869. The church was built with red brick and features a large tower that reaches a height of 125 feet, arched and circular windows, buttresses, and elaborate brickwork, especially on the tower and east facade. It also features six Tiffany stained glass windows. Holy Trinity is also known for a notable event in its history called the "Estornelle affair" (see below). The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Church of the Holy Trinity was built between 1870 and 1894.

Sky, Plant, Window, Building

In September 1869, a group of 60 local Episcopalians sent a request to Bishop William M. Green to establish a new parish in what was the the southern part of Vicksburg. Green agreed and the new congregation began holding services in a school. The next year an architect was hired who submitted a design in the Romanesque style, which is what the church leaders wanted; they thought that the Greek and Gothic styles were "old fashioned." Construction began in 1870. While the church was being built, the congregation worshipped in a new chapel until 1880. But even by that point, Holy Trinity was not completed. It was finally finished in 1894. The chapel was demolished around 1894.

The Estornelle affair began sometime in early 1936. That year, a pastor from New Jersey named Rev. Camille Estornelle arrived in Vicksburg on a two-week mission. He was apparently very charismatic and quickly became popular among the congregation. He was so well like that he was asked to serve as the temporary rector while a new one was found. Over the course of the next few weeks, some congregants began calling for him to be appointed to the position. However, Bishop Green learned that Estornelle was involved in a divorce suit and suspended for four years. In light of this development, Green was not willing to appoint him and the bishop in New Jersey would not transfer Estornelle to the Mississippi diocese.

For his part, Estornelle refused to resign. After a period of letter writing between Estornelle and the two bishops, in November 1937, Green withdrew Estornelle's license. In response, the congregation left the Mississippi diocese in January 1937. This forced the diocese to conduct a trial. In the end, Estornelle was found guilty of violating canon law and was ordered to leave the diocese and was banned from returning. It wasn't until 1943 that a rector was appointed to Holy Trinity.

Allen, William C. "Church of the Holy Trinity." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. May 22, 1978. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/42304963-92bf-4a3a-81d6-59d880ee2f67.

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Church of the Holy Trinity