Trinity Church-Established 1789, Kingston, N.B.

Early in May, 1783 "The Good Ship Union" out of Sandy Hook, Connecticut arrived at Partridge Island outside Saint John Harbour. Two days later the group of Loyalists aboard ascended the St. John River to the site which was to become their new township at Kingston with nothing except what little they carried with them. It it not difficult to imagine their uncertainty and uneasiness when they saw groups of Indians on every bluff. As it turned out, the Micmac people were friendly and proved to be a great help to the Loyalists.

Before this town was laid off many hardships were suffered by these settlers. But they were an exceptional lot in their spirit and determination and were at all times strengthened by faith in their God. It is no coincidence that many of the buildings erected by them in these early years still stand today and are inhabited, some by their direct descendants.
From the time the Loyalists arrived at Kingston their first consideration was the erection of a Church. Even before lots were being drawn or any homes were built, it was decided that "One Acre off each adjoining corner of the First four Numbers should be allotted the place for the Church ... and that Lot Number One on the west side should be reserved for the Parsonage".
As it turned out, the Parsonage, which is still in use today, got its beginnings, in the year 1788, largely at the expense of the First Rector, The Rev. James Scovil, with some assistance from the people. The Parishioners, impatient to wait for the grants from the Government, decided to "proceed on their own means" with the building of their Church. On June 27, 1789, "Through the spirited and unwearied exertion of the people of the Parish of Kingston," the framing of Trinity Church, First Anglican Church in New Brunswick, was completed and erected. On November 5, 1789, it was dedicated for Divine Service by the Rev. James Scovil and on the 8th day of August, 1792, Trinity Church, "The Root from which all other Churches in the country have sprung," was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Charles Inglis.
Since that time the building has undergone many changes. A Steeple was constructed on the ground then raised into position "Egyptian Style" in July, 1809. A Chancel was added in 1811 and 1813 saw some gentlemen from saint John make a gift of a bell weighing 129 pounds. In 1833 the Vestry voted the necessary funds to add the convenience of a Vestry room. An extensive program of enlargement and improvement was undertaken in the year 1852 at the cost of nearly $4000. On Easter Monday, 1852, it was unanimously resolved that permission be given to place an organ in the gallery.


The organ in Trinity Church was built in England in 1785 by W.H. Hedgeland of 7 Charles Street, Manchester Square, London. It is the oldest working pipe organ in Canada. It was brought to Kingston and installed in the Church in 1852. The name of the builder and age of the organ were discovered when the instrument underwent a complete overhaul in 1975.
The first Confirmation was on July 29, 1809, at which 257 candidates (probably the largest class ever confirmed in New Brunswick) received the Laying on of Hands from Bishop Inglis. The 125th Anniversary of the Erection of Trinity Church was observed on June 25, 1914 by a number of parishioners so large as to fairly test the seating capacity of the Church. Recent Anniversary Services have met with the same response.
"Her Foundations are upon the Holy Hills," said the Rev. H.S. Wainwright. "The story of Kingston's loyal, strong-hearted, devoted founders, like the afterglow of a sunset sky, still rests upon its many hills."
The current Kingston Parish Hall was built in 1991. It is widely used by the whole Kingston community. One of its most interesting features is the fieldstone fireplace, which is dedicated to the memory of Joe Steele. Its hearthstone is from one of Kingston's oldest buildings, and the inscription "W.B. (for Walter Bates), Est. 1807" is clearly visible.


Trinity graces the Village of Kingston in My Kingston Peninsula Home. it is one of the manyKingston Parish Churches.

After church services, have tea at Carter House, the 1810 Heritage Tearoom in The Village

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Memorials and Gifts dedicated since 1789. ( Ministers and Organists)

In memory of Rev.'d Carson W.J. Clarke M.A., B.D., B.E.,
Rector of the Parish of Kingston from 1956-1963. Presented by
Trinity W.A.

To the glory of God and in loving memory of Georgiana Hoyt Lyon,
Organist of this Church for 38 years 1851-1889.

To the glory of God and in memory of Rev.'d John Beardsly D.D.,
Junior Grand Warden of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New York, and
First Worshipful Master of Hiram Lodge No. 17, AF &AM of St. John,
September 1784. Who came to New Brunswick with the Loyalists and
who's body rest beneath this Church. This tablet is erected by the
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Brunswick, as a
tribute of regard for one of the pioneers of the craft in this province,
obit August 23, 1809.


To the glory of God and in loving memory of Rev.'d H.S. Wainwright B.A.,
Rector of Kingston Parish for 34 years. Born Oct. 18, 1841, died
March 12, 1923. Erected by Trinity Church.

The Rev.'d William Elias Scovil succeeded his father
and lived to the 6th of June 1876. The 67th year of his age and the
43rd of his ministry.


Memorial Tablets (2 stone tablets) - In memory of James Scovil, Elias Scovil,
James Scovil Jr.

Rectors of the Parish of Kingston
James Scovil	1787-1808
Elias Scovil	1808-1841
W.M. Elias Scovil	1841-1875
H.S. Wainwright	1876-1911
C. Gordon Lawrence	1911-1915
Henry Waterton	1916-1922
Reginald Britton	1923-1928
C. Murray Hatheway	1929-1933
T.E. Wickenden	1934-1943
Raymond H. Murphy	1943-1945
A.W. Parfitt	1945-1946
W. Brundage	1946-1949
B.T. Keith	1949-1952
E. Doherty	1953-1956
W.J. Clarke	1956-1963
E. Dos Santos	1963-1970
Ernest C. Howlett	1970-1980
Lyman N. Harding	1980-1988
John A. Matheson	1988-1995
Douglas Parrett	1995-1997
Dana R. Dean	1998-2002
Bonita J. LeBlanc	2004-

Loyalists Worship at Trinity Church, Kingston The community gathered for worship with the Anglican congregation and United Empire Loyalists from across the nation. Sunday July 13 at 10:30am Guest Preacher: The Rev.’d J. Peter Gillies U.E. Guest Organist: Don Flewelling.

Darlene Love whipped up her costume in a day, using imagination and no pattern. She played Sarah Raymond, wife of Silas, in the graveyard.












Love family members playing on Croppie's Rock. Trinity Graveyard



Grant for repairs



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