Our Mission -
To know Christ and to make him known.

We're glad you're visiting our website and you want to know more

ABOUT US . . .

As Melbourne's first church of any denomination, Holy Trinity has a long and proud history.

Directions

One block North of US 192 and one block West of Babcock St.

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Our History

In the 1880's, the first families to settle in Melbourne were mostly of English background and members of the Episcopal Church. Early church services were held in a store. Eventually, a parishioner from Connecticut presented property and cash for a church building in South Melbourne. The famous theologian, The Rev. William P. DuBose, officiated at the first service in the building in 1886. In 1895, the building was moved by barge to a more central location on Highway US 1. Holy Trinity was declared a parish in 1949.

In 1953, when the then Rector, The Rev. Alexander Boyer envisioned tremendous growth in the area because of the start of the Space Program, the present site on Strawbridge Avenue was purchased. This allowed for the addition of the sanctuary, seven class rooms, a living room, two offices, and a kitchen. The classrooms were used for Christian Education on Sundays, and by an over- crowded school system during the week.

In 1958, five classrooms were added and Holy Trinity Parish Day School opened. Five years later, the Episcopal Church Women funded the move of the original church structure to the Strawbridge Avenue site. The building is now our chapel and has been dedicated as an Historic Landmark of Brevard County. Father Boyer retired after 25 years as rector.

In 1980, The Rev. William G. Lewis, then Archdeacon of The Diocese of Pittsburgh, was called to lead the parish. He oversaw the addition of new offices, a second living room, a library and the purchase of a nearby house which became The Episcopal Counseling Center. The Parish Day School grew to over 400 students during this time.

In 1998, The Rev. Dr. Dabney T. Smith was called to be Rector. Under his leadership, the church experienced renewed vitality and growth. Lewis Hall was acquired in 1999, and in the fall of 2001 a capital campaign was initiated to expand Church facilities. The first step in that direction, the remodeling of Lewis Hall (the administrative offices and youth ministry area) was completed in the fall of 2003. In September of 2004, the remodeling of our Parish Hall was completed. "Fr. Dabney" is now "Bishop Dabney" as he was elected Episcopal Bishop of Southwest Florida (headquartered in Sarasota) in 2006.

Fr. Steve and Rev. Pam Easterday were elected as Co-Rectors in May of 2006. They came to Holy Trinity after serving for eight years as Co-Deans of Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral in Fargo, North Dakota. They are the first Co-Rector husband and wife team in the Diocese of Central Florida. They bring a passion for family ministry, a desire to build a strong relationship between Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, and a strong commitment to growth. The Easterdays are committed to inviting every member to participate in ministry.

To support the outreach and parish ministries of the church, building projects on the horizon include placing a movable dividing wall between the two living rooms that make up the Parish Hall, moving the Nursery from Lewis Hall across the street to the church, and a proposal for a new building to include a music room and dedicated Sunday School classrooms. There are also developing plans to remodel the sanctuary so that it is more accessible to persons with limited mobility.