Trinity Episcopal Church
Also known as: Trinity Episcopal Church of Columbus
Why it's listed
Trinity Episcopal Church stands at 1130 First Avenue in downtown Columbus, Georgia. Built in 1890 from designs by the Atlanta firm Wheeler-Downing, it replaced the congregation's first church, which stood at 1140 First Avenue. The building is Gothic Revival, of English-bond brick with sandstone detailing, tudor arches, a square bell tower at the rear and a large stained glass window in the street-facing gable end. Inside, heavy dark beams on decorative corner brackets support a slate roof. A Parish House was added in 1925-26, and further renovation and expansion followed in the late 1950s to mid-1960s, including a roof connection between church and Parish House. The nomination presents the church as significant for religion, since it serves the oldest and most influential Episcopal congregation in Columbus, and for architecture, as the city's only Gothic Revival church. Its small scale recalls English parish churches. The church remains in use and in good condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites religious significance because the church serves the oldest and most influential Episcopalian congregation in Columbus. It also argues architectural significance as the only Gothic Revival church in Columbus, with smaller proportions reminiscent of English countryside churches.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80001205, listed September 29, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1130 1st Ave., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Muscogee County |
| Listed | September 29, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001205 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Wheeler-Downing, Architects of Atlanta; a "Mr. Smith" was the contractor; 1925-26 Parish House addition by T. F. Lockwood and Son, Architects, and Murphey Pound, Architect |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a church; described as in good condition with integrity maintained. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.46752, -84.99154 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80001205.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7842742
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.