Trinity Episcopal Church Tulsa—where every soul is welcome.

Join Our Family
Screenshot 2025 11 05 202637

A BRIEF HISTORY OF TRINITY

Trinity’s story begins in 1832 when the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, the first Episcopal Missionary Bishop, encountered a Seneca community worshiping with the Mohawk Prayer Book. The influence of Native American cultures is woven into the fabric of Trinity’s earliest roots.

Bishop Francis Key Brooke, consecrated in 1893, led the growing Episcopal presence in Indian Territory. In November 1903, Tulsa’s first Episcopal service was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dan P. Hunt. By 1905, a lot at Fifth and Cincinisnati was purchased for $800, and a 225-seat church was completed in 1906. By 1917, Tulsa’s growth demanded a larger building. Ground was broken in December of 1920 on our current English Gothic-style church. It was dedicated in May of 1926.

Rev. Dan Morrow joins us in celebrating the centennial of our building July 19, 2026. One of Trinity’s most influential leaders, the Rev. Dr. Edward H. Eckel Jr. (19301958), had a vision to “box the Tulsa compass” by founding four churches: St. Luke's (1942), St. John's (1948), St. Mark's (1955), later renamed St. Aidan's, and St. Matthew's-by-the-Lake (1957) in Sand Springs. He also championed the creation of St. Simeon’s Episcopal retirement home (1960).

Rooted in strong spiritual leadership, Trinity has stood as a beacon of worship, welcome, and justice in Tulsa for over a century. Etched in stone above our doors are the words: “Mine house shall be called a House of Prayer for all Peoples.” In 2025, we still live this truth boldly with a current motto: Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, Trinity welcomes you
Screenshot 2026 07 18 211434

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY 

Throughout our history, Trinity has responded to God’s call by cultivating ministries that began as small acts of faith and grew into far-reaching expressions of love and justice.

We have started or helped to launch major community institutions:

•  Iron Gate began in our garden and now feeds thousands. What began as a simple offering of meals in Trinity’s undercroft has grown into one of Tulsa’s largest hunger ministries. Decades later, a couple who received their first American meal at Iron Gate returned gratitude with generosity—celebrating their 60th anniversary by sending a $60,000 gift in thanksgiving. Trinity’s small act of welcome continues to ripple outward in ways we could never have imagined.

•  Habitat for Humanity – Tulsa was launched through our early engagement.

•  New Hope Oklahoma was envisioned here and now serves children of incarcerated parents.

 •  St. Simeon’s Episcopal Home was the dream of a rector and his spouse, and continues to offer compassionate elder care.

•  We founded satellite churches that extended the Episcopal presence across Tulsa.

Today, Trinity’s Social Justice Commission (SJC) carries this legacy forward by taking action to follow the teachings of Christ, advocating for greater justice in our community. This lay-led commission organizes parish members to: deliver groceries each month to immigrant families facing instability; walk alongside neighbors transitioning out of chronic homelessness; amplify the voices of the marginalized through storytelling; and volunteer monthly to serve meals and supply groceries in partnership with Iron Gate Tulsa.

The SJC led a fundraiser last year with other Episcopal churches to sponsor a tiny home at Eden Village of Tulsa and formed a support team for the newly housed neighbor who lives there. The Commission also arranged for the creation of a podcast called A Neighbor to Love that lifts up stories from those experiencing homelessness, helping us to listen, learn, and act.

The SJC has also supported Afghan refugees, led voter engagement efforts through Vote Faithfully, and responded to community needs with tangible aid, like gas gift cards, for Tulsa Public School families. Through each effort, we seek not only justice, but relationship—reminding ourselves and our city that every person is beloved and belongs.

We, at Trinity, want to enhance the impact we have on our community by continuing to change and grow. We are courageous and compassionate; we show up for one another and for Tulsa, in ways large and small. We are proud of our legacy and ready to write the next chapter.