Arlington Chapel

Chapel and Gate to Arlington National Cemetery Chapel and Gate to Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Virginia Source: Misc Virginia PWA Projects - Photo #14 (kermitproject.org) Creator: Kermit Project

Arlington Chapel was originally built as a chapel for slaves on the Arlington estate in the early 1800s.

Trinity Episcopal Church, nestled at the corner of Columbia Pike and South Wayne Street, traces its roots to the early 1800s, with its beginnings intertwined with the rich history of Arlington Chapel. Erected on the Arlington estate by George Washington Parke Custis, adopted son of the nation's first president, the chapel served as a place of worship for enslaved people. It stood near the southwest corner of Arlington National Cemetery, a mile from Trinity's location.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Arlington County faced a decade without an Episcopal Church. Seminarians from the Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) stepped in, conducting services in a barracks formerly occupied by federal troops, located a few hundred yards east of Trinity's current site. In 1877, a new chapel was built on the north side of Columbia Pike, where VTS students continued to minister for two decades.

A significant milestone came in 1902 when Trinity acquired its present property, marking a move to the corner of Columbia Pike and South Wayne Street. The frame chapel from the previous location made the journey to the new site in 1903. However, it wasn't until 1936 that Trinity achieved self-sufficiency with a full-time minister.

The explosive growth of Arlington during and after World War II transformed Trinity, leading to its designation as an autonomous parish church by the Diocesan Council on May 22, 1947. The Reverend Ernest H. Williams, a VTS graduate, became Trinity's first rector.

In 1957, the congregation moved into a new Georgian-style building, a testament to the architectural vision of parishioner William Max Haussmann, Sr. The Right Reverend Robert F. Gibson, then Bishop Coadjutor of Virginia, dedicated the church on May 12, 1957. The community celebrated this milestone a century after Trinity's relocation to Columbia Pike in November 2004.

Beyond its physical growth, Trinity's spiritual commitment is evident in its Covenant for Community Hospitality, Health, and Wholeness, adopted in December 2011. The covenant reflects the church's dedication to being a "safe, sober, and sane" community, providing an open, supportive, and secure environment for worship, spiritual growth, social connection, and community service.

Trinity Episcopal Church is a testament to faith, resilience, and community. From its origins in the ashes of Arlington Chapel to the vibrant parish, it is today, Trinity continues to embody the principles of love, service, and accountability, drawing inspiration from its historic roots and the teachings of Christ.