In the spring of 1875, there were three Episcopal families residing on farms near Wheaton and they were determined to establish a church. Judge Drummond, W.A. Shearson, and James Warrach, the founding fathers, consulted with Bishop William E. McLaren and on June 27, 1875, the first services were held. The universalist Church, on the site of the present DuPage County Historical Museum, was rented for one dollar a Sunday, and Dr. Charles V. Kelley from Oak Park officiated.1
Trinity has a wonderful archive which holds a wide range of documents. A quick look through the files opens a window into the variety of services, social events, and outreach programs that have been a part of Trinity since the very beginning. The display in Millett Hall will test your memory as well as provide details about Trinity you never knew.
Each month of our 150th Celebration, Trinity will post the answers to the Trinity History Challenge. To view the answers for the May challenge, click on the Read More button. Good luck!
The following are the May History Challenge Questions:
- A very talented member of Trinity carved several beautiful items for our church. Can you name one?
- The office has a fireplace. Why?
- Our parish hall is named after Trinity's longest serving rector, The Rev. Frank Millett. Do you know who the parlor was named after?
- Who once had a truck with the sign, "Yes, it's my truck. No, I won't help you move!"?
- Why is there a labyrinth in the front yard?
The classical 7-walled labyrinth came into being about 4500 years ago. It appeared simultaneously in places as diverse as Cornwall (England), Crete, Arizona, and Sumatra. It is as if this pattern broke through into human consciousness everywhere and in "learning"; or walking it, one is simply being reminded.
A labyrinth has a single, winding, unobstructed path from the outside to the center, unlike a maze which has many dead ends and wrong choices designed to trick the mind. Therefore, the labyrinth is often seen as a metaphor for our spiritual "life"; journey; many twists and turns but no dead ends. In other words, we always have the opportunity to make another choice in life or "turn"; in the labyrinth.