View source for Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church (New Britain, Connecticut)

{{short description|Historic church in Connecticut, United States}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name         = Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church
| nrhp_type    =
| image        = Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church (New Britain, Connecticut).jpg
| caption      =
| location     = 69 Main St., [[New Britain, Connecticut]]
| coordinates  = {{coord|41|39|56|N|72|46|51|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin     = Connecticut#USA
| architect    = [[Amos P. Cutting]]; Alexander Dallas
| architecture = [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]
| added        = July 21, 2007
| area         = {{convert|0.4|acre|ha}}
| refnum       = 07000697<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
}}
'''Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church''' is a historic former [[Church (building)|church building]] at 69 Main Street in [[New Britain, Connecticut|New Britain]], [[Connecticut]].  Built in 1891 to a design by [[Amos P. Cutting]], it is a distinctive local example of [[Richardsonian Romanesque]] architecture.  Now a performing arts venue known as '''Trinity-on-Main''', it was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2007.<ref name="nris"/>
==Description and history==
[[File:Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church (New Britain, Connecticut) postcard ca 1907.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Postcard ca 1907]]
The former Trinity Church is located in downtown New Britain, at the southeast corner of Main and Chestnut Streets.  It is a large stone structure, built of granite and slate, on an [[Akron Plan]] design, with Richardsonian Romanesque style.  It is particularly distinguished for its polychrome uses of both granite and slate to create distinctive effects.  The facade facing Main Street presents a rounded apse on the left, and a square tower on the right, with corner turrets and a pyramidal roof.<ref name=NRHP>{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=07000697}}|title=NRHP nomination for Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2014-12-20}}</ref>
The first Methodist congregation in New Britain was organized in 1816, but did not acquire a permanent home until 1828, apparently due to local hostility.  The first sanctuary was replaced due to rising membership in 1855, and by the 1880s the replacement was again judged too small.  The present church was completed in 1891, and was a major work late in the career of the notable architect [[Amos P. Cutting]].  Membership peaked in the early 1950s, suffering thereafter due in part to the city's urban renewal efforts, which destroyed surrounding residential areas.  Unable to maintain the large building, the congregation decided to demolish it in 2000.  It was rescued from that fate by local preservationists, and has been converted into a performing arts space.<ref name=NRHP/>
==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Hartford County, Connecticut]]
{{commons category|Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church (New Britain, Connecticut)}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.trinityonmain.org/ Trinity-on-Main website]
{{New Britain, Connecticut}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
[[Category:Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Churches in Hartford County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in New Britain, Connecticut]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Hartford County, Connecticut]]