The Little White Church on the Hill

The 1823 Journal of the Diocese of Pennsylvania (which included the entire state) noted, "that among the congregations deserving attention was Jersey Shore." The town of Jersey Shore itself was not yet incorporated; that was to come in 1826.

We know nothing about  the fledgling congregation until the May 17, 1845 document entitled, "Articles of Association of St. Mary's Church, Jersey Shore" which detailed eight points of church conduct in the quaint script of the time.  It lists seven vestry members, but still holds no clue to where services were held.

We do know that by 1900, services were held in the parlor of the Williamson House, on North Main Street, in what is now the Thompson Apartment Building. By the next summer, services were moved to the upper room of the London Building at 415 Allegheny Street. Later that year, the Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, sent the Rev. William Jenkins to take charge of the parish. Worship was again moved to the third floor banquet hall of  the Masonic Temple in the Sallada Buildng at the corner of Main and Smith Streets. Those services were well attended and plans commenced for the construction of a church building. Lots were purchased on what was known as Bastress Hill.

The cornerstone for the current buildng was laid in October of 1902. A large platform was erected in front of the stone, and the Rev. William Heaber, Archdeacon of Williamsport, conducted the worship service. It was noted to be "a memorable day. The enchanting West Branch Valley surrounded by the mountains garbed in autumnal colors made a picturesque setting for the occasion."

The church was built at a cost of $6000; the first service was held in it in September of 1903. Recordkeeping continued to be spotty; see notations on the right. The church was referred to as Holy Trinity Church by 1916.

Although finances were tight in the early decades of the twentieth century, the little white church continued to be improved, mostly through the efforts of the church women. Stained glass windows were installed in 1925 at a cost of $825. The parish was short by $400 which was borrowed from the Jersey Shore Bank on the endorsement of three members of the Women's Guild, who used their automobiles as collateral.

The inside of the church was painted in 1923, electric wiring and fixtures were installed in 1927, and a new furnace was purchased in 1929.

In 1941, the Vicar was authorized to make Trinity a Mission.

Boldly, the parish voted on April 4, 1946 "to protest as a church to our congressman of the use of atomic energy in military ways."

It was not until 1950 that a modern kitchen was installed. In 1953, Trinity was thrilled to recieve an electronic organ and a Bishop's Chair from St John's Episcopal Church in South Williamsport, which was being closed. 

A new large parish hall and kitchen were competed in 1985. In 1994, a severe snowstorm destroyed the nine-year-old parish hall addition, the weight of the snow causing a roof collapse. The stone fireplace was all that remained standing. Wood from the collapsed beams was formed into a cross, which the children adorn with flowers each Easter.

The parish hall was duly replaced, a garage was erected, and air conditioning was added to the church in 1998, and in 1999, a new Allen organ was installed.  A total remodel of the kitchen in 2012 made everyone happy.

Trinity called its first woman priest in 1993, and, without specific intent, that practice has continued ever since.