[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9718]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH 250TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND WAR OF 1812 
                             COMMEMORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a 
storied institution of faith in Virginia's Third Congressional 
District. This year, Trinity Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, Virginia 
is celebrating its 250th anniversary, and I would like to take a moment 
to reflect on the history of this esteemed church and its contributions 
to the greater Hampton Roads community.
  The story of Trinity Episcopal Church begins in 1752 with William 
Crawford, the founder of Portsmouth, when he designated space at the 
intersection of High and Court Streets for a parish church. Between 
1761 and 1762, the Vestry of Trinity Church was formed. Reverend 
Charles Smith served as the first parish priest.
  During the American Revolution, the church was used by the British 
garrison, and Trinity's old church bell was cracked celebrating General 
Cornwallis' surrender. During the War of 1812, Captain Arthur Emmerson 
III, a lay leader in the congregation, was instrumental in the American 
victory at the Battle of Craney Island. During the Civil War, the crew 
of the ironclad C.S.S. Virginia--commonly called the Merrimac--
worshipped at Trinity before boarding the ship to fight in the first 
battle of the ironclads against the Union ship, U.S.S. Monitor.
  Over the years, Trinity continued to grow and expand, and its 
congregation felt a great sense of community responsibility, 
contributing to the well-being of the City of Portsmouth, surrounding 
neighborhoods and area churches. In the 1890s, Trinity founded the 
King's Daughters Hospital, which later became Portsmouth General 
Hospital. In the 1960s, under its noted Rector, the Rev. C. Charles 
Vache, the congregation was active in the civil rights movement and 
endorsed the equality of all persons. Its members support organizations 
such as Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless, Oasis Social Ministry 
Center, and other social agencies, providing breakfasts, dinners, 
overnight accommodations, and financial support to those in need. 
Trinity is best known for its Annual Children's Christmas Shoppe, where 
hundreds of children, guided by members of the parish and community 
disguised as ``elves,'' can do their own shopping for loved ones. The 
Episcopal Church Women and the Brotherhood of Trinity take on 
additional local, national and even international community service 
projects of their own.
  Yet another longstanding Trinity tradition worthy of note is its 
music. Mentions of organists and accompanying choirs date back to 1823. 
Instruments housed at Trinity are revered as representative early-
American works by their crafters. The choir has received acclaim dating 
back to the 1860s, when the Rt. Rev. John Johns, Bishop of Virginia, 
called the Trinity Choir ``the best in the diocese.'' Today, the 
Trinity Music Series features local musical ensembles and world-
renowned artists, working with the Virginia Arts Festival and other 
community organizations to provide quality music services, recitals and 
concerts to the public free of charge.
  As Trinity Episcopal Church gathers to celebrate this historic 
milestone, the church can truly remember its past, celebrate its 
present, and focus on its future. I would like to congratulate Rev. 
John R. Throop, D. Min., and all of the members of the Trinity 
Episcopal Church on the occasion of their 250th Anniversary. I wish 
them many more years of dedicated service to the community.

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