Our congregation is part of the The Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. We worship out of the Book of Common Prayer and celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday. We welcome people of any marital status, sexual orientation, race, age, ability, or political leaning. We ordain women as clergy and perform same-sex marriages. For people coming from the Roman Catholic church the sacramental nature of our worship will be familiar. For people coming from a Protestant church our use of scripture and our hymns will feel familiar. Whether you come from a different faith tradition or no faith tradition, at the Episcopal Church we hope you find the opportunity to know God in beautiful surroundings through scripture, song and prayer. We welcome you to join us in the exploration of what the Holy Spirit is up to in our lives and in our community.
Mission & Leadership
We work to become disciples by
Our vestry leaders supporting our work to become disciples are:
Laurie Trotto, Warden
Dorothy Schmidt, Secretary
Gordon Dunn, Liaison to Worship: Working together to create beautiful and meaningful worship of God.
Moe Pershinsky, Liaison to Parish Life: Strengthening our unity as a community who cares for and loves one another.
Cathy Filiato, Liaison to Formation: Drawing from scripture, tradition, and our own stories to become more faithful followers of Jesus.
We work to act as apostles by
Our vestry leaders supporting our work to act as apostles are:
Dennis O’Connor, Warden
David Ericson, Liaison to Missional Engagement: Partnering with others to bring hope and healing into the world.
Patrick DeBrock, Treasurer and Hope Johnson, Liaison to Finance: Guiding and giving our gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
Leon Karvelis, Liaison to Properties: Connecting our buildings and grounds with our mission to serve others.
Rick Irving and Jack Wojtowicz, Liaison to Youth
Barbara Chamberlain and Geoff Dent, Delegates to Convention and the Southwest Region
- Growing as followers of Jesus through Word and Sacrament.
- Gathering in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God.
- Connecting our story with God's story in Holy Scripture.
- Deepening our commitment to Jesus by learning in community.
- Being the Body of Christ as we break bread together and care for one another.
Our vestry leaders supporting our work to become disciples are:
Laurie Trotto, Warden
Dorothy Schmidt, Secretary
Gordon Dunn, Liaison to Worship: Working together to create beautiful and meaningful worship of God.
Moe Pershinsky, Liaison to Parish Life: Strengthening our unity as a community who cares for and loves one another.
Cathy Filiato, Liaison to Formation: Drawing from scripture, tradition, and our own stories to become more faithful followers of Jesus.
We work to act as apostles by
- Being sent by the Holy Spirit into the world to join God's work of restoration and reconciliation.
- Widening our reach in the neighborhood as bringers of God's Love.
- Experimenting with new ways of joining in God's mission.
- Crossing boundaries, listening deeply, and living like Jesus.
Our vestry leaders supporting our work to act as apostles are:
Dennis O’Connor, Warden
David Ericson, Liaison to Missional Engagement: Partnering with others to bring hope and healing into the world.
Patrick DeBrock, Treasurer and Hope Johnson, Liaison to Finance: Guiding and giving our gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
Leon Karvelis, Liaison to Properties: Connecting our buildings and grounds with our mission to serve others.
Rick Irving and Jack Wojtowicz, Liaison to Youth
Barbara Chamberlain and Geoff Dent, Delegates to Convention and the Southwest Region
From left to right front row—Gordon Dunn, the Rev. Matt Babcock, the Rev. Jenny Montgomery, Laurie Trotto, Cathy Filiato, Hope Johnson, Dorothy Schmidt. Back row—David Ericson, Leon Karvelis, Moe Pershinsky, Patrick DeBrock, Jack Wojtowicz, Rick Irving, Dennis O'Connor.
Clergy and Staff
The Reverend Dr. Jennifer Glaze Montgomery - Priest in Charge
In January 2017, with the Vestry’s consent, The Rev. Dr. Jenny Montgomery was appointed by Bishop Ian Douglas to serve as Trinity’s Priest in Charge. Since coming to Trinity Jenny has helped to guide the parish through a time of change and transition. Building on the visioning work that was done in 2015, Trinity continues to adapt to the realities of being a parish in the new missional age. Jenny’s pastoral presence and priestly leadership has enabled Trinity to engage in some difficult conversations and to continue the healing process from the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. Anticipating Jenny’s retirement on July 1, 2020, Trinity is now engaged in the discernment process of calling our next rector.
Before joining Trinity, Jenny served as the Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia for eight years. Prior to St. Andrew’s, she was the rector of St. James in Clinton, New York and prior to that Assistant Vicar at Christ Church Episcopal in Richmond, Virginia. She has extensive training and experience in supervising seminarians and mentoring newly ordained clergy. Jenny received her Masters and her Doctor of Ministry degrees from Virginia Theological Seminary. Jenny is married to The Rev. Dr. Joe Glaze and between them they are blessed with sixteen grandchildren. Jenny enjoys writing icons, kayaking, reading and traveling to new places.
In January 2017, with the Vestry’s consent, The Rev. Dr. Jenny Montgomery was appointed by Bishop Ian Douglas to serve as Trinity’s Priest in Charge. Since coming to Trinity Jenny has helped to guide the parish through a time of change and transition. Building on the visioning work that was done in 2015, Trinity continues to adapt to the realities of being a parish in the new missional age. Jenny’s pastoral presence and priestly leadership has enabled Trinity to engage in some difficult conversations and to continue the healing process from the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. Anticipating Jenny’s retirement on July 1, 2020, Trinity is now engaged in the discernment process of calling our next rector.
Before joining Trinity, Jenny served as the Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia for eight years. Prior to St. Andrew’s, she was the rector of St. James in Clinton, New York and prior to that Assistant Vicar at Christ Church Episcopal in Richmond, Virginia. She has extensive training and experience in supervising seminarians and mentoring newly ordained clergy. Jenny received her Masters and her Doctor of Ministry degrees from Virginia Theological Seminary. Jenny is married to The Rev. Dr. Joe Glaze and between them they are blessed with sixteen grandchildren. Jenny enjoys writing icons, kayaking, reading and traveling to new places.
The Reverend Matthew Ray Babcock - Curate
Matt was raised in central Louisiana, and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 2007, achieving a BS in Agricultural Business. Matt's work in commodities trading, risk management, finance, and banking moved him to North Carolina, where he was introduced to the Episcopal Church. What began as volunteer service in a food pantry, led to a rediscovery of the presence of God through the fruits of a community with a shared vision to live the Gospel. Serving alongside parishioners who continually sought to restore the dignity of God’s creation eventually led Matt to explore his own call to ordained ministry.
Matt graduated in 2019 from Yale Divinity School, achieving a Master of Divinity, and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School. Matt was ordained a transitional deacon in the Diocese of East Carolina in June, 2019, and he was ordained a priest in December, 2019. Prior to joining Trinity Episcopal Church, Matt served as a seminarian at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church, New Haven, CT and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Milford, CT. As part of his ongoing discernment, Matt served as a chaplain at Yale New Haven Hospital. He holds a certification in mental health first aid
Matt was raised in central Louisiana, and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 2007, achieving a BS in Agricultural Business. Matt's work in commodities trading, risk management, finance, and banking moved him to North Carolina, where he was introduced to the Episcopal Church. What began as volunteer service in a food pantry, led to a rediscovery of the presence of God through the fruits of a community with a shared vision to live the Gospel. Serving alongside parishioners who continually sought to restore the dignity of God’s creation eventually led Matt to explore his own call to ordained ministry.
Matt graduated in 2019 from Yale Divinity School, achieving a Master of Divinity, and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School. Matt was ordained a transitional deacon in the Diocese of East Carolina in June, 2019, and he was ordained a priest in December, 2019. Prior to joining Trinity Episcopal Church, Matt served as a seminarian at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church, New Haven, CT and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Milford, CT. As part of his ongoing discernment, Matt served as a chaplain at Yale New Haven Hospital. He holds a certification in mental health first aid
Donald Wismann - Director of Music Ministry
Don is a native of New Jersey and studied organ and voice at Kean University, New Jersey. He has been involved in liturgical music for many years, most recently serving the Parish of St. Anthony in Prospect, CT.
Don is a native of New Jersey and studied organ and voice at Kean University, New Jersey. He has been involved in liturgical music for many years, most recently serving the Parish of St. Anthony in Prospect, CT.
Kim Merrill - Communications and Membership Manager
Kim lives in Danbury with her husband and three teenagers. With a background in Marketing and Public Relations, Kim is responsible for all communications, both internal and external, as well as maintaining our membership database. Prior positions include Director of PR at Immanuel Lutheran Church & School, Communications Manager for Physician One Urgent Care and PR assistant at Ethan Allen Headquarters.
Kim lives in Danbury with her husband and three teenagers. With a background in Marketing and Public Relations, Kim is responsible for all communications, both internal and external, as well as maintaining our membership database. Prior positions include Director of PR at Immanuel Lutheran Church & School, Communications Manager for Physician One Urgent Care and PR assistant at Ethan Allen Headquarters.
Lori Rohrbacher - Bookkeeper
Lori and her husband Frank have been living in Newtown since 1993. They have two grown children. Lori has a BS in Accounting from the University of Scranton. Before becoming a bookkeeping and finance consultant to various various clients she was the Director, Planning and Support Services at Oxford Health Plans, Inc. Lori is in the office on Wednesdays and Fridays. If you need to connect with her, the best way is email her to schedule an appointment.
Lori and her husband Frank have been living in Newtown since 1993. They have two grown children. Lori has a BS in Accounting from the University of Scranton. Before becoming a bookkeeping and finance consultant to various various clients she was the Director, Planning and Support Services at Oxford Health Plans, Inc. Lori is in the office on Wednesdays and Fridays. If you need to connect with her, the best way is email her to schedule an appointment.
Jack Qubick - Sexton
Jack has been a pillar of Newtown for many many years. As a prior police officer of the town, he is recognized by many who have fond memories of Jack being "a great, and fair cop that we all enjoyed seeing." As an employee of Trinity for close to 20 years, Jack is an expert on all that goes on in our church building.
Jack has been a pillar of Newtown for many many years. As a prior police officer of the town, he is recognized by many who have fond memories of Jack being "a great, and fair cop that we all enjoyed seeing." As an employee of Trinity for close to 20 years, Jack is an expert on all that goes on in our church building.
Our Campus
Church and Parish House
The present Trinity Church, completed in 1870, is the fourth building the parish has occupied since 1732. It was preceded by a wooden structure that stood just north of it. For a brief time, the old and new buildings were side by side; then the old church was dismantled and sold for $100. With it gone, the town was able to straighten the top of Church Hill Road. The building underwent major renovations in 1960 when the parish house was added, and again in the year 2000. If you look closely at our interior walls, you can still find the original building, intact.
The parish house includes the Glover Community Room, used for parish and community gatherings, a full-service kitchen, staff offices, and classroom space, which is shared with Trinity Day School. It is available for community use and is currently used by two Girl Scout troops, Alcoholics Anonymous, Charley's Angels, Connecticut Choral Society, Newtown Interfaith Council, Interfaith Partners for Refugee Resettlement and the Waterbury Symphony. To arrange to use the facilities please call the office at 203-426-9070.
The present Trinity Church, completed in 1870, is the fourth building the parish has occupied since 1732. It was preceded by a wooden structure that stood just north of it. For a brief time, the old and new buildings were side by side; then the old church was dismantled and sold for $100. With it gone, the town was able to straighten the top of Church Hill Road. The building underwent major renovations in 1960 when the parish house was added, and again in the year 2000. If you look closely at our interior walls, you can still find the original building, intact.
The parish house includes the Glover Community Room, used for parish and community gatherings, a full-service kitchen, staff offices, and classroom space, which is shared with Trinity Day School. It is available for community use and is currently used by two Girl Scout troops, Alcoholics Anonymous, Charley's Angels, Connecticut Choral Society, Newtown Interfaith Council, Interfaith Partners for Refugee Resettlement and the Waterbury Symphony. To arrange to use the facilities please call the office at 203-426-9070.
Memorial Garden
The Trinity Memorial Garden is a place for prayer, meditation, and final rest for the cremains of the departed. It is a lovely spot that provides an outdoor worship space in the summer. Cremains are interred by burial in the enclosure’s lawn; above-ground markers are not used. If you are interested in arranging a place in the Memorial Garden for yourself or a loved one, call the office at 203-426-9070 for information.
The Trinity Memorial Garden is a place for prayer, meditation, and final rest for the cremains of the departed. It is a lovely spot that provides an outdoor worship space in the summer. Cremains are interred by burial in the enclosure’s lawn; above-ground markers are not used. If you are interested in arranging a place in the Memorial Garden for yourself or a loved one, call the office at 203-426-9070 for information.
Labyrinth
Our permanent outdoor labyrinth was built in 2013 as an Eagle Scout project by youth parishioner Jack Benedict, We offer the opportunity to walk the labyrinth anytime, as one element in our larger effort to encourage people to experience the rich depths of spirituality in Christianity. The labyrinth is a combination of walking and prayer, with roots in ancient history. These "paths for prayer" have been part of Christian prayer and pilgrimage since the middle ages. Walking the labyrinth clears the mind and gives us insight into our spiritual journeys. Each walk into and out of the labyrinth is a unique opportunity to meet our creative, loving God through contemplative prayer.
Our permanent outdoor labyrinth was built in 2013 as an Eagle Scout project by youth parishioner Jack Benedict, We offer the opportunity to walk the labyrinth anytime, as one element in our larger effort to encourage people to experience the rich depths of spirituality in Christianity. The labyrinth is a combination of walking and prayer, with roots in ancient history. These "paths for prayer" have been part of Christian prayer and pilgrimage since the middle ages. Walking the labyrinth clears the mind and gives us insight into our spiritual journeys. Each walk into and out of the labyrinth is a unique opportunity to meet our creative, loving God through contemplative prayer.
Rectory and Curate House
The parish rectory was part of a bequest made by S. Curtis Glover in 1960. The four-bedroom Victorian-era home, built in 1890, sits at the top of Main Street, just one block from the church. In 1985 a three-bedroom curate house was constructed behind the rectory, and has provided a home for our curates, associate rectors and their families.
The parish rectory was part of a bequest made by S. Curtis Glover in 1960. The four-bedroom Victorian-era home, built in 1890, sits at the top of Main Street, just one block from the church. In 1985 a three-bedroom curate house was constructed behind the rectory, and has provided a home for our curates, associate rectors and their families.
A Brief History of Trinity
Trinity Church was founded in 1732 when Newtown’s Congregational minister, the Reverend John Beach converted to the Anglican Church, causing considerable turmoil in the town. He sailed to Scotland where he was ordained by an Anglican Bishop and upon his return, conducted his first service as rector of what was to become Trinity parish.
In the next 100 years, Trinity grew to be the largest parish in the diocese with 300 communicants. It grew physically as well, moving to three different sites in the heart of Newtown.
Trinity continued to expand both physically and spiritually during the 20th century. The parish house was added, as well as the parking lot. Trinity developed a significant outreach program which gave funds for the construction of a parish house for St. Luke’s, New Haven, participated in creating Amos House, a transitional living facility for the homeless, helped establish the Family Counseling Center in Newtown and the Newtown Youth Services, a town-designated youth service bureau. Trinity also became a covenant church with Housatonic Habitat for Humanity, an affiliate of the international organization dedicated to building homes for low income families. In addition, Trinity prepared for and adopted the new Book of Common Prayer, and remodeled the sanctuary to incorporate a free-standing altar, underscoring the fact that the Eucharist had become the focus of our worship, and the congregation was given back their significant role in worship.
In 2000 the parish accomplished a successful 1.5-million-dollar capital campaign providing major renovations throughout the church and parish house. In recent years, members of Trinity helped to establish Ben’s Lighthouse, a grassroots organization founded following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School to honor 6-year old Benjamin Wheeler, a member of Trinity. A companion parish program with San José la Montaña in El Salvador, an active Stephen Ministry, and a commitment to the Newtown Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Program were also initiated.
Trinity has been and continues to be a community of faith with open hearts, open minds and open hands; grounded in tradition, engaged in the present, investing in the future, becoming apostles, making disciples, following God into the neighborhood. You are a stranger here only once. It would be our great joy to welcome you among us.
In the next 100 years, Trinity grew to be the largest parish in the diocese with 300 communicants. It grew physically as well, moving to three different sites in the heart of Newtown.
Trinity continued to expand both physically and spiritually during the 20th century. The parish house was added, as well as the parking lot. Trinity developed a significant outreach program which gave funds for the construction of a parish house for St. Luke’s, New Haven, participated in creating Amos House, a transitional living facility for the homeless, helped establish the Family Counseling Center in Newtown and the Newtown Youth Services, a town-designated youth service bureau. Trinity also became a covenant church with Housatonic Habitat for Humanity, an affiliate of the international organization dedicated to building homes for low income families. In addition, Trinity prepared for and adopted the new Book of Common Prayer, and remodeled the sanctuary to incorporate a free-standing altar, underscoring the fact that the Eucharist had become the focus of our worship, and the congregation was given back their significant role in worship.
In 2000 the parish accomplished a successful 1.5-million-dollar capital campaign providing major renovations throughout the church and parish house. In recent years, members of Trinity helped to establish Ben’s Lighthouse, a grassroots organization founded following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School to honor 6-year old Benjamin Wheeler, a member of Trinity. A companion parish program with San José la Montaña in El Salvador, an active Stephen Ministry, and a commitment to the Newtown Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Program were also initiated.
Trinity has been and continues to be a community of faith with open hearts, open minds and open hands; grounded in tradition, engaged in the present, investing in the future, becoming apostles, making disciples, following God into the neighborhood. You are a stranger here only once. It would be our great joy to welcome you among us.
Clergy at Trinity
1970 – 1978 Stephen Gushee, Rector
1978 – 1979 Dr. Robert Back, Interim Rector
1979 – 1992 Frank Dunn, Rector
1992 – 1993 Patricia Hames, Interim Rector
1993 – 1994 Gregory Carlson-Bancroft, Rector
1994 – 1995 Charles Huffman, Interim Rector
1996 – 2016 Kathleen E. Adams-Shepherd, Rector
2017 – 2020 Dr. Jennifer Glaze Montgomery, Priest in Charge
1970 – 1978 Stephen Gushee, Rector
1978 – 1979 Dr. Robert Back, Interim Rector
1979 – 1992 Frank Dunn, Rector
1992 – 1993 Patricia Hames, Interim Rector
1993 – 1994 Gregory Carlson-Bancroft, Rector
1994 – 1995 Charles Huffman, Interim Rector
1996 – 2016 Kathleen E. Adams-Shepherd, Rector
2017 – 2020 Dr. Jennifer Glaze Montgomery, Priest in Charge