Experience One of Newport's Most Cherished Landmarks Up Close

Trinity’s Anglican congregation was formed in 1698. Master builder Richard Munday constructed the present church nearly 300 years ago, based on designs of Sir Christopher Wren. Over the next 250 years, storms and prevailing winds caused the tower to lean precariously, but in 1986-87 it underwent a life-

saving restoration with iron beams inserted into the church and tower walls to stabilize the structure in its leaning position.

Inside you will see the original box pews, candle-lit chandeliers, and the 3-tiered, center-aisle, wineglass pulpit and sounding board that are the last in America, if not the world. The original organ was given in 1733 by Anglican theologian and philosopher The Rev. Dr. George Berkeley who became Bishop of

Cloyne in Ireland. In the Tower Room is a black Egyptian marble monument given by King Louis XVI of France as a memorial to the Chevalier de Ternay – the French admiral who in 1780 brought Comte de Rochambeau’s 5,000-man army and as many sailors to Newport to fight for American independence.

Since the late 18th century, Trinity families have memorialized loved ones in marble, bronze, silver and slate plaques on the walls of the sanctuary, and with beautiful English and Tiffany stained-glass windows. They honor founders, military heroes, educators, vestrymen, philanthropists, and magnates of

industry and finance. Distinguished visitors and parishioners include Gen. George Washington, Commodores Oliver Hazard Perry and his younger brother Matthew Calbraith Perry, Queen Elizabeth II, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, three US Presidents, and the families of Cornelius Vanderbilt and Sen. Claiborne Pell, to name just a few.

More recently, Trinity was a film site for Amistad, Evening, and Moonrise Kingdom.