At some point this past winter, most Trinitarians have probably walked through the short hallway connecting the nave and chancel. Maybe they were heading to a pew before a service, returning to their pew after receiving communion during a service or leaving the nave after a service. Whatever took them through that space, they would have been hard pressed not to notice a transformation happening!
Glaring fluorescent lights were replaced with indirect, dimmable LEDs. Decades of abandoned telephone (remember land lines?) and electrical cables snaking around walls and ceilings were replaced by wires hidden in the walls. Plaster was repaired and painted. All of that is in plain view and well worth a visit to that hallway if you haven’t seen it.
What isn’t apparent, however, is an equally remarkable transformation in Trinity’s two sacristies, hidden behind doors handcrafted when Trinity was rebuilt in 1911.
The Clergy Sacristy, at the end of the hall opposite the nave doors. It provides secure space for our clergy’s personal vestments such as cassocks, surplices and cassock albs as well as vestments owned by Trinity including seasonal chasubles and stoles. It also contains a half bath and a small piscina closet for disposal of unused consecrated wine.
The Working Sacristy, located on the left as you pass through the hall from the chancel to the nave, provides secure storage, cleaning and care of a wide variety of items used in services. Some are metal, like the altar cross, candlesticks, Eucharistic vessels and alms basins. Many are textiles, such as fair linens for the altar and corporals, purificators, palls and towels for Eucharists and baptisms. The altar flowers are also stored and arranged in this space. The list (and associated tasks!) go on and on.
Both Sacristies were designed for a church that was much smaller and a staff that functioned very differently from Trinity today. Although the spaces were improved in the 1960s, they now serve a vastly larger church with more staff and assisting clergy. Our guilds are larger and support many more services throughout the year than their counterparts in the past.
Because load-bearing walls preclude expanding either room, they have been redesigned to fully use every square foot of available space. Finishes on original baseboards and floors were restored, revealing beauty last seen in the early 20th century. Construction was completed by Easter and we have begun using the new facilities. As we settle in, we are reminded of Winston Churchill’s words as the Houses of Parliament were restored after World War II. “First we shape our buildings,” he said. “Thereafter our buildings shape us.” We are already finding that the renovated sacristies suggest new ways of doing our work, more efficient ways of using our space and new ways to collaborate across all of the clergy, staff and volunteers who make Trinity’s weekly worship possible.
Everyone interested may see these small but important facilities and learn more about their contribution to the ministries, programs and worship at Trinity.
Nancy Whisenhunt
Previous stories showing the work in progress.
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