Reverend Johan Johnson

The parishioners at Trinity Episcopal Church on Crescent Avenue in Rocky Hill have just welcomed a new vicar. The Reverend Johan Johnson divides his time between Rocky Hill and Hightstown where he serves as chaplain at the Peddie School. He lives in Hightstown with his wife and their two children, ages 5 and 7 years old.

Father Johnson’s hope is that his ministry at Trinity will include outreach that improves the life of the community. For 16 years, he served a parish with a large, aging church building in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. “In that neighborhood at the 125th Street subway station there is a long staircase and an escalator. But the escalator had been out of service for years. We got together as a group of churches to lobby the MTA to get that escalator fixed. That’s the faith community getting together and using our spirituality to make the community where we live a better place.” 

So far, in Rocky Hill he’s just been getting to know the parish and the neighborhood. “I very much like that the church building is small. In my previous parish so much of the focus had to be on maintaining the building and fixing the boiler. Here the focus can be on the people and on what our ministry is,” said Father Johnson.

He’s been inspired by what he’s seen of the congregation already. “I’ve been impressed by the choir. They take their job very seriously and they bring a great dimension to the feel of the worship service.” He’s also been moved by the care that’s gone into the memorial garden that is next to the historic church. “I’d like to see it become a place where people can come and reflect,” said Father Johnson.

And, of course, he’s taking advantage of the other wonderful things that Rocky Hill has to offer. “My family and I just got our library cards at the Mary Jacobs Library. The kids were very excited,” said Father Johnson.

Sunday morning services are at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

More information about Trinity Church can be found at: www.trinityrockyhill.org.