Marking a local church’s history

As Trinity-St. John’s Church in Hewlett celebrates 175 years, Rev. Owen C. Thompson and Rev. Walter V. Hillebrand will be in charge of carrying on the legacy and creating a new future for parishioners.

Trinity-St. John’s officially celebrated 175 years on May 1 by holding a worship service where current and past parishioners attended, followed by a luncheon, cemetery service and procession that honored deceased church members. “We acknowledged the dead, their legacies and contributions,” Thompson said.

The church’s rich history began in 1835 when Trinity Chapel was built in Far Rockaway and 34 years later parishioners outgrew the building so a new one was erected where it stands now on Broadway in Hewlett. In 1881, Trinity Chapel helped establish St. John’s Church in Far Rockaway before the two merged in 1973.

Thompson, who joined Trinity-St. John’s Church six years ago, said he is moved by the diversity in the congregation. “Believe it or not, we are still dealing with adjusting to the transition between the merger of the two parishes,” he said. “I’ve been here to see the church grow as young families with children are now joining. We have increased our efforts for Christian education and programming and increased our community presence to be a good neighbor.”

Hillebrand has been with the church for two years and said Trinity-St. John’s has a welcoming spirit and hospitable approach to new members. “We have a loving community who helps and cares for each other,” he said.

At the 175th anniversary celebration, Hillebrand said it was impressive to see the rich history of the church. “Our main focus is on ministry and to reach out to the people in need in the surrounding area,” he said, “and to carry on the church’s legacy.”

Richard Walther, a 67-year Woodmere resident, is an active parishioner at Trinity St. John’s and was baptized there in 1942. His mother was a Sunday school teacher and his three children were active in the parish as well. “The church has been apart of my whole life and everything I’ve done,” he said.

According to Walther, the parish has gotten more diverse since the merger with St. John’s in Far Rockaway. “Many of the people from St. John’s come from different Caribbean Islands so we have a wider base of people from different backgrounds,” he said.

When asked what it was like to celebrate the 175th anniversary, Walther remembers planning for the 150th anniversary. “I didn’t think it was something I’d ever see,” he said.

Walther said churches are facing tough times. “Churches are have having a difficult time as the religious background of the community is changing,” he said. “I hope we will be able to grow and spread their mission of not only bringing people to the church but taking the church to the community and helping people in the community.”

For Thompson, every time he walks into the Trinity-St. John’s parish hall, he said it’s humbling to see the photos of all the former parish rectors. “For me to be part of this history is humbling,” he said. “The legacy of the church has been left to me by my predecessors and I plan to be here for as long as I feel so-called and to make my mark; a page in the chapter of the church’s history.”