Moving an 80-Ton Church

Trinity Episcopal Church had outgrown its space on Maple Avenue. The parking lots were overflowing, all the way to St Patrick’s. Some in the growing congregation were relegated to sitting on small, uncomfortable seats, pulled out from the sides of wooden pews. And parishioners, including many children, found themselves on the street as they walked to the parish before or after services.

Something had to be done.

So in 1965, after some discussion by church leaders and the diocese, two extraordinary, and what some believed to be impossible, options were on the table: Option A: Rebuild the church to accommodate the growing flock — estimated cost, $1.5 million. Option B: Move the current church to another location where there was room to grow — estimated cost, $54,000.00.

It was a sunny Tuesday, August 24, 1965 when the 80-ton Trinity Episcopal Church was moved three-quarters of a mile from the Maple Avenue lot where it had stood since 1875, to its current River Road location. 

“It was a carnival-like atmosphere during the move,” remembered Phyllis Lowell, a member of the church who witnessed the event. “The Church even sold sandwiches to people who showed up to watch!”

Once Trinity Episcopal was lifted from its foundation, a box was found inside the cornerstone of the church. This metal time capsule from November, 1875 held: a bible and prayer book; letters; books; and some newspapers. A number of the items had sustained water damage, likely due to the 1955 flood.

Of all the stories told about that day, Reverend Linda Spiers, Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church shared one that has gone down in church folklore about believing in the impossible. As a challenge to skeptics of Option B, “a large glass of water was placed on the alter before the move. And by the end of the move, not a drop of water was spilt. At least that’s the story!”

Here’s the Deal

Special thanks to The Rev. Linda Spiers and Walter and Phyllis Lowell for their remembrances and stories.

Photos courtesy of: Town Historian, Mary Ellen Cosker; Kathy Jenkins, Canton Historical Museum & Trinity Episcopal Church. 

Background materials for this column were gathered from: The Peg Perry History Room at the Canton Public Library.