The story of Trinity Church began in the 19th century when Princeton community members banded together to raise the necessary funds to build a magnificent church. Money was collected and several years later a building was constructed. The original communicants and vestrymen worked hard to build the community, providing necessary funds to help sustain the church. Thanks to their work, we have an active and engaged congregation today. 

Yet, the foundation of our church is quite literally built on the fortunes amassed by slaveholders. Thousands of dollars were given by slaveholders with massive plantations in the South. The fortunes that were given to construct Trinity were sourced through the systematic dehumanization of individuals for personal gain. 

The past, present, and future of Trinity Church are all inextricably linked to the institution of slavery. The past, present, and future of the Church as a whole are all inextricably linked to the institution of slavery. 

It is persistently evident in the history of the Church, not just Trinity, that time and time again we have failed to recognize the dignity of every human being and fight for a just world. Until recently, many have been entirely resistant to confront the church’s history and relationship with the past. Yet this task is something absolutely essential in our mission to create a just world and to truly respect the dignity of all, including those of the past. 

By continuing to ignore our relationship to slavery and injustices of the past, we are refusing to acknowledge the dignity of human beings. By stopping our search of the past before we have even identified the names of enslaved people, we are refusing to acknowledge the dignity of human beings. The very human beings whose labor helped fund the fortunes of 19th century men who used those fortunes to build churches like Trinity. 

Thus, in this time of Lent when we are returning to look at our Baptismal covenant, I urge us to consider not just injustices and inequities in the status quo, but to return back to take a closer look at history. To search a bit deeper into how our churches, both individually and collectively are deeply intertwined to the institution of slavery. Only once we have begun this search can we even begin to understand how difficult it is to truly “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being”.