Not your ordinary Church Bazaar!

While Trinity faces many challenges as a large urban parish, one of its most important tasks is to maintain the integrity of its stunning architecture. One of the finest examples of NeoGothic architecture in the United States, Trinity Church is open year round to visitors, schoolchildren and anyone who wants to join us on our journey of faith. Folks of all faiths and all walks of life come through our open doors to get respite and refreshment.

Truly a jewel in a city of architectural gems, Trinity offers the city of New Haven a unique gift: stained glass windows created by L.C. Tiffany Company. They were installed between 1897 and 1910 and remain a guiding light to the parish and the city of New Haven.

Time, dust and weather have weakened the windows and the Trinity Bazaar stepped in to raise money for their restoration. While we have restored several windows so far, two treasures remain, waiting for the able hands of the master craftspeople to return them to their original glory.

The Holiday Bazaar exists to ensure that Trinity's windows can be enjoyed for generations to come. The work of the Bazaar is truly a labor of love. It is not your ordinary Church bazaar. Due to the enormous talent and treasure of Trinity members from more than 20 surrounding communities, the Bazaar offers something for everyone. From wonderful handmade ornaments to the best food court in town, from a well stocked tag sale to lovingly knitted scarves, from a silent auction to church tours, the Bazaar has become an event that can not be missed!

All of our efforts are aimed at making sure that the light can continue to shine through Trinity's glorious windows. Visitors from all over the world wonder at our windows and we are justly proud.

Please help us to keep the beauty alive and vibrant in New Haven.

How can YOU help??

Show up! Invite friends, coworkers, and family to peruse our amazing Bazaar. Download a poster (when available) and display it in your office, your church, or your favorite store. Consider a tax-deductible donation to Trinity's window restoration fund.

For more about the windows, see below, and also visit the Walk Through Trinity.

Getting Ready for the Bazaar

10/06 The History of The Holy Family Window
By Joe Dzeda

Trinity's Holy Family window can be found on the north (Green) side of the church at the rear of the nave. It was installed in 1968 by the family of Frederick Foster Brewster, a noted local philanthropist whose ancestors were active in the carriage industry that flourished in New Haven in the 19th century. This window remained Trinity's newest for thirty-four years until the 250th Anniversary window was installed over the narthex doorway in 2002.

The Holy Family window is in two halves. The section below the balcony depicts Jesus, Mary and Joseph at work; Mary is shown spinning cotton and Joseph using his carpenter's square, while a young Jesus is seen fashioning a double oxbow, recalling Matthew 11:29, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

The upper half of the window depicts the parable of the Sower, found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In the left-hand lancet, a nasty-looking devil stands ready to snatch up the seed (representing the Word of God) before it can sprout; in the right-hand lancet, an angel guards the seed so that it can take root in the souls of God's children.

The Holy Family window was created by Charles J. Connick Associates, successors to the studio founded in 1918 by Charles J. Connick (1875-1945). By the time the Boston studio closed forever in 1986, due to the aging of its workers and the reduction of natural light brought about by the high-rise buildings surrounding Copley Square, it had created distinguished windows for more than 5,000 churches, schools and hospitals the world over, including the largest stained-glass window in America, the great 10,000-piece Rose Window over the West Door of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

Charles J. Connick once remarked, "If churches are made radiant and beautiful places of worship, we can have a spiritual regeneration without anyone knowing what is going on. Beauty can preach as very few men with bundles of words can preach. I want to make beautiful interiors for both churches and souls. I want to hear my windows singing."

Take a look at Joe Dzeda's commentary and pictures of the newly renovated West Window here. This represents some of what the Bazaar has accomplished for Trinity Church. Mary Ann and volunteers, we thank you for all your hard work!

Holiday Bazaar Commemorative
Trinity Parish Office, Suite #705
Attn: Sherrill Farkas
129 Church St
New Haven CT 06510

The bazaar is a major fundraiser and focus of the parish community. All monies raised over the last 15 years have been directed toward the restoration of the stained glass windows many of which are historically significant. The bazaar has become part of the fabric of church life, builds fellowship, and reaches out into the community.

The bazaar is "Always the Weekend before Thanksgiving" and is held in the church undercroft. It is open from 12 pm on Thursday through Sunday at 1 pm - perfect for downtown shoppers and workers. Parking is available at public parking garages, after hours and on Saturdays at the Yale lots, and on the street and on the Apron of Trinity Church. The Holiday Bazaar is an old fashioned bazaar that includes Homemade Crafts, Silent Auction, Tag Sale, Raffles, Food Court, Bake Sale and Cookie Walk, and Surprise Packages

Crafts are all homemade. An eight-foot ornament-filled Christmas tree graces the center of the undercroft with new ornaments added each year. Crafts include: hand knitted and crocheted scarves and ponchos, machine quilted table runners and purses, unique hot pads, aprons, jewelry, flax-seed eye pads, items to comfort the Body and Soul, doll beds complete with bedding, decorative boxes, miniature decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, containers of paper-white bulbs and many more seasonal items, all at great prices and perfect for your Holiday Giving.

The Silent Auction features everything from vacation homes to home cooked meals, art work, antiques, gift baskets, gifts certificates galore to area restaurants, beauty salons, and more.

Tag Sale items are collected all year long. If you love to pick through boxes and get a bargain, the Trinity Tag Sale is for you. Items include: children toys, linens, jewelry dishes, and glasses, decorative items for the home, small appliances, books, DVD's and some furniture. We also, feature unused gifts that give again, great for Holiday Giving.

The Bake Sale and Cookie Walk is a must. Also featured are many homemade breads, muffins, jams, jellies, condiments, candy and Pat's famous Pickles Our selection of homemade cookies is unbelievable. Cookies are weighed by the pound and ready to be eaten, given away or frozen for the Holidays.

The Food Court's wonderful aromas greet you as you enter the undercroft - all homemade. Thursday night features the choir's chili and corn bread special. Each year all look forward to Mary's Butternut Soup extraordinaire and Egg Salad, Fresh Roasted Turkey wraps complete with brownies, cookies or Bishop's pie. Take out is available. On Sunday come have baked Strata.

Trinity's Holiday Bazaar is a must for the serious shopper. We'll be looking for You!!!!

This is how it works: come to Trinity's undercroft during the Bazaar and browse among the many and varied offerings.

If you wish to bid on something, you'll go to the volunteer on duty and, on providing your name and phone number, you'll be given a number.

Each item has a sheet where you can enter your bid along with your number. If, at the end of the auction on Sunday afternoon, you are the highest bidder on an item, you can either be present to pay and pick it up, or you will be notified that you are the high bidder and can then make arrangements to pay and receive your item.