HISTORIC RESTORATION: “The new cross is an exact duplicate of the old one, except for the use of silicone. We determined that casting the new cross out of silicone bronze was the best approach and would last the longest,” says architect Mark Sullivan AIA, a partner at Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design (JZA+D).

By Jean Stratton

Not only is Princeton’s historic Trinity Church the largest Episcopal Church in New Jersey, it now has a brand new cruciform cross atop the church spire.

The previous cross, after having been badly corroded over time, fell in the strong winds of a severe 2016 storm. The heavy steel also damaged the roof and lower spire cap before tumbling to the ground.

When the original piece was determined to be beyond repair, architect Mark Sullivan AIA and partner at Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design (JZA+D) was recruited to help guide the process of replacing the iconic cross.

A member of the Trinity congregation, who also chairs the building committee, Sullivan volunteered to investigate the best course for replacement, including removing remnants of the cross and spire, and identifying a foundry to recreate the design.

Special Requirements

“This was an especially challenging project because of the height involved, and the difficulty in getting up there,” he explains. “Special skills are needed to do that work so high up. There were definitely special requirements, and also, casting a cross is not done every day.”

After researching a series of companies, he and his team selected Excalibur Bronze Sculpture Foundry in Brooklyn, N.Y. to cast the cross, and Alta Access to secure the spire and to install the cross.

Bregenzer Brothers Roofing in Hopewell did the repair work on the slate roof, on the copper low spire caps, and the copper flashing. Baker Lightning Rod Company provided and installed lightning protection, reconnecting it to existing grounding rods.

After two years of planning and ongoing work, the new cross and accompanying repairs were completed, and the cross was installed on June 12.

History abounds at Trinity Church, and it is fitting that such care and attention went into the replacement of this new cross.

Originally established in 1833, Trinity was a relative latecomer to mainly Calvinistic New Jersey. Princeton Borough, in particular, was a heavily Presbyterian village, anchored by the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and Princeton Theological Seminary, the latter a Presbyterian institution and the former with strong connections to the Presbyterian Church.

Prominent Citizens

A group of prominent citizens, including some with Southern influences, founded Trinity, building a modest Greek Revival wooden meeting hall as their church. It was designed by Charles Steadman, also the architect/builder of many houses in the neighborhood.

In 1870, the original structure was replaced by a larger, more assertively Episcopalian stone Gothic-style church designed by Richard M. Upjohn. This building was expanded in the early years of the 20th century, including lengthening the nave, enlarging the chancel, adding a chapel
adjacent to the north transept, and substantially heightening the tower.

Trinity’s history has often coincided with important events of the time. In 1850, a Gothic schoolhouse was built to serve as a Sunday School for parish children, and at other times, as a school for African American children, who were not served by the local schools.

In the second half on the 19th century, Trinity established several nearby missions, of which two survive independently.

in 1875, Trinity founded the St. Paul’s Society for students at Princeton University, when the number of Episcopalian students had grown. It continues to exist, now known as the Episcopal Church at Princeton University.

Through the 1920s, ’30s, and early ’40s, Trinity slowly grew with the town. Then, during the baby boom of the late 1940s and ’50s, Trinity experienced explosive growth in young families and children and a burgeoning Sunday School.

Outreach Programs

With the advent of the turbulent 1960s and its cultural and political turmoil, Trinity introduced new outreach programs, including Trinity Counseling Service and All Saints’ Church. It also opened a basement coffee house, The Catacombs.

All Saints’ Church was created as a neighborhood church to serve the fast-growing eastern half of Princeton Township, and it quickly became independent.

In 1963, Trinity experienced a devastating fire, necessitating significant reconstruction of the church.

A series of respected rectors has served Trinity over the years, and a long-awaited moment came when the Rev. Daphne Hawkes, who remains a volunteer associate clergy, was ordained to the priesthood at Trinity, the first woman priest in the Diocese of New Jersey.

Trinity’s impressive history added another dimension to the restoration project, believes Mark Sullivan.

“This project was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me: the replacement of the cross atop Trinity Church. Trinity is one of the many monuments of Princeton, and is a living entity. It moves and breathes unlike most buildings built today, and thus requires a sensitive hand. Like many buildings of its era, it is in need of regular care and an appropriately sensitive attention to detail.

“The team who worked with me to install this new cross appreciated the original craftsmen who built the church and also its present condition. The success of this project is the success of very capable people working well together. I really enjoy this work and the collaboration with everyone — the installers, the lightning protection company, the foundry, the lift operator, and the crane operator.”

Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design handles a variety of many kinds of projects in the area and beyond, he adds, and is currently working on two multi-family projects on Maclean and John streets.