St. Clair Shores in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Trinity Episcopal Church

On the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Lake Boulevard

— Historical Landmark —

Trinity Episcopal Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 19, 2025

1. Trinity Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription.

Trinity Episcopal Church. On the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Lake Boulevard. , Trinity Episcopal Church had its beginnings in 1917. When Dr. and Mrs. Fred Thompson moved to Lake Township in June 1916, they found that there were no Protestant churches in the area. , , On February 11, 1917, eighteen people met in the Thompson home where a church school service was conducted by Dr. Thompson. A steady growth in attendance soon followed. On May 6, 1917, the members of the Church School chose the name "Trinity Mission" and conducted the first regular service on May 20, 1917. , , Trinity soon decided to purchase property on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Lake Boulevard. They also purchased an abandoned one-room French schoolhouse (the Erin Schoolhouse) for $175 and had it moved to the property from the lake side of Jefferson. A parish hall was added to the school building and by 1922, the new building was completed. , , By 1934, an increase in Church attendance was reported and Trinity looked forward to a time when it could claim the rights and privileges of an independent parish. By Fall of 1945, the Diocese recognized the need for Trinity to maintain itself as a true parish. On October 30, 1945, Trinity Parish was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan. For the first time in its history, members were allowed to elect a vestry and assume full responsibility for the parish. , , As the number of families increased, the old buildings were no longer able to accommodate the congregation. A new church building committee was appointed. In 1954, construction began on the current church building with groundbreaking services held on Thanksgiving Day. On October 30, 1955, a formal Dedication Service was held in the new building. , , In the Fall of 1964, the old church building was condemned and torn down. During demolition, an original blackboard from the old schoolhouse was found on the wall with French writing still on it. , , In early 1965, a building committee for the new Parish Hall was appointed. Stained glass windows in the Nave were designed and installed by the Willet Stained Glass Studios of Philadelphia, PA. Groundbreaking services took place in June 1966 and construction was completed in January 1967. , , Trinity celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1967 with a lovely tea and couples renewed wedding vows among the many events. , , On May 20, 2017, a Centennial Service was held at Trinity followed by a catered celebration dinner later that evening. , , Trinity Episcopal Church has been an integral part of the history of St. Clair Shores for over 100 years and continues to be a Christian influence by serving the Lord in St. Clair Shores.

Trinity Episcopal Church had its beginnings in 1917. When Dr. and Mrs. Fred Thompson moved to Lake Township in June 1916, they found that there were no Protestant churches in the area.

On February 11, 1917, eighteen people met in the Thompson home where a church school service was conducted by Dr. Thompson. A steady growth in attendance soon followed. On May 6, 1917, the members of the Church School chose the name "Trinity Mission" and conducted the first regular service on May 20, 1917.

Trinity soon decided to purchase property on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Lake Boulevard. They also purchased an abandoned one-room French schoolhouse (the Erin Schoolhouse) for $175 and had it moved to the property from the lake side of Jefferson. A parish hall was added to the school building and by 1922, the new building was completed.

By 1934, an increase in Church attendance was reported and Trinity looked forward to a time when it could claim the rights and privileges of an independent parish. By Fall of 1945, the Diocese recognized the need for Trinity to maintain itself as a true parish. On October 30, 1945, Trinity Parish was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan. For the first time in its history, members were allowed to elect a vestry and assume full responsibility for the parish.

As

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the number of families increased, the old buildings were no longer able to accommodate the congregation. A new church building committee was appointed. In 1954, construction began on the current church building with groundbreaking services held on Thanksgiving Day. On October 30, 1955, a formal Dedication Service was held in the new building.

In the Fall of 1964, the old church building was condemned and torn down. During demolition, an original blackboard from the old schoolhouse was found on the wall with French writing still on it.

In early 1965, a building committee for the new Parish Hall was appointed. Stained glass windows in the Nave were designed and installed by the Willet Stained Glass Studios of Philadelphia, PA. Groundbreaking services took place in June 1966 and construction was completed in January 1967.

Trinity celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1967 with a lovely tea and couples renewed wedding vows among the many events.

On May 20, 2017, a Centennial Service was held at Trinity followed by a catered celebration dinner later that evening.

Trinity Episcopal Church has been an integral part of the history of St. Clair Shores for over 100 years and continues to be a Christian influence by serving the Lord in St. Clair Shores.

Erected 2023 by St. Clair Shores Historical

Trinity Episcopal Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 19, 2025

2. Trinity Episcopal Church and Marker

Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is May 20, 1917.

Location. 42° 31.015′ N, 82° 52.716′ W. Marker is in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Lake Boulevard, on the left when traveling north on Jefferson Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30205 Jefferson Ave, Saint Clair Shores MI 48082, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church (approx. one mile away); Corporal Walter F. Bruce VFW Post 1146 (approx. 1.2 miles away); VFW Post 1146 Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); the Kyte Monroe Memorial Playfield (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lake Shore Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); Selinsky-Green Log House (approx. 1½ miles away); Lake St. Clair (Lac Sainte Claire) (approx. 1½ miles away); the Davis Block (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Clair Shores.

Trinity Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 19, 2025

3. Trinity Episcopal Church

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 23, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.