Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Haven

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, founded in 1865, stands as the oldest Lutheran congregation in Connecticut. Since 1916, it has been housed in one of New Haven’s most striking examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture-an edifice originally constructed in 1870 for the Church of the Redeemer. Designed by architect David Russell Brown, who also collaborated on the design of New Haven’s City Hall, the church features an elegant combination of brick and Portland brownstone, a defining style of the period.

A landmark plaque from the New Haven Preservation Trust (1964) marks the building’s architectural significance. Its most iconic exterior feature is the rose window, installed in 1870 and adopted as an unofficial symbol of the congregation. Inside, the church maintains its rich Victorian character, with carefully preserved woodwork, sculptures, and stained glass artistry.

A notable highlight is the Tiffany stained glass window depicting Jesus with a young child, installed in 1916. In 1928, a triad of stained glass windows was added during a major restoration effort. The altar, dedicated in 1918 to Jacob and Margaretha Leyerzapf, and restored in 1964, stands as a spiritual centerpiece. Nearby, the baptismal font-crafted by renowned sculptor Suzanne Silvercruys Farnam-features angelic figures modeled after the granddaughters of Rev. John A. Timm, under whose leadership the building was acquired.

The church’s 1954 Cassavant organ, an electric pneumatic instrument with 37 stops, integrates two ranks from the original 1916 organ, blending tradition with modern functionality.

And in a delightful twist, the church’s basement houses four bowling alleys-a unique feature that brings a touch of joyful fellowship to this historic sanctuary.

Recognized as a national landmark, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church remains a spiritual, cultural, and architectural treasure in the heart of New Haven.