What defines us
Outreach. Diversity.Tradition.
Our Church Today
Holy Trinity is a congregation steeped in Episcopal tradition, yet eager to approach our traditions from new perspectives.
Never been to an Episcopal church before? No worries!
Our services are instructional and designed with newcomers in mind. You will find a rich variety
in our music from week to week, from organ to piano to guitar, drawing from old classics to
new favorites. Come in your Sunday best or your weekend relaxed and you will be in good
company. No matter where you are in your faith journey, there is something for you at Holy
Trinity, and we look forward to welcoming you.
Our Clergy
The Reverend Hester S. Mathes
Reverend Hester was born and raised in Memphis and earned a degree in Music from the
College of William and Mary. After college she worked in several capacities within the
Episcopal church and taught Integrate Fine Arts at St. George’s Independent School before
returning to Virginia to pursue her Masters of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary.
Hester was ordained to the Diaconate in 2014 and the Priesthood in 2015. She last served as
Senior Associate Rector of Church of the Holy Communion before starting as Holy Trinity’s
Priest in Charge during Holy Week of 2022. Hester also serves as St. George’s School Memphis
Chaplain, which shares the campus with Holy Trinity. Her ministry reaches beyond our campus
with active involvement in the Memphis Christian Pastor’s Network, Interfaith groups
throughout Memphis, as a member of the West Tennessee Standing Committee and Board
Member of St. Columba Camp & Conference Center. Hester is married to Andy and they have two children, Neeley and Zander, a dog named Autumn, 6 hens and a rooster who keep them busy and entertained!
Our Vestry
Our History
The origins of Holy Trinity Episcopal church date to August 1901, when its first service was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. F.D. Talley. The name Holy Trinity Episcopal Church was agreed upon on November of that year. The cornerstone was laid on Easter Day 1902, and the first service in the church was observed on Whitsunday. Holy Trinity was consecrated in 1904 by Bishop Frank Gailor and gained parish status in 1909. The church was then located at what is now Cummings Street and Talley Place off of South Parkway East, about two blocks north of Coletta’s Italian Restaurant at SE Parkway and I-240.
In the late 1950s, the Church moved east to the Sherwood Forest/Cherokee Heights neighborhood, and merged with St. Edward’s Mission. It occupied the former Greer estate on Kimball Rd, a two-story home which was formerly a log cabin but later given a Southern Colonial façade. It served as worship space until the present Nave was constructed. Later a two-story building was erected to serve as office space, Parish Hall, choir room, and Christian Ed rooms. The Colonial home was often used as a rectory. The home burned in Nov 2000, and a new similar building was built in its image. It was named The Columns and is adjacent to St. George's Independent School-Memphis Campus Pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.
A fun historical fact..Elvis Presley was a groomsmen in a wedding at Holy Trinity in 1961! Yes, Elvis was in the building!!