A historical church from New Brunswick, sold in the late 1990s, has found a new purpose in the vibrant arts district of Oklahoma City. The Old Trinity Church, constructed in 1842, was the sole Anglican church in Blackville, N.B., according to Shirley Underhill, who claims to be among the last individuals baptized there.
Efforts to preserve the church as a memorial fell short due to financial constraints, leading to its deconsecration, sale, and relocation. Underhill, who dedicated over four decades to the Old Trinity Church, participated in its restoration post-relocation. The site now serves as a monument honoring past church ministers and as a resting place for cremated individuals.
Former Blackville resident David Underhill reminisced about the church hosting numerous community weddings, including his sister’s, which were adorned with flowers and attended by many. He also recalled the skating rink behind the church as a gathering spot for local residents.
In late 2000, as the church was being dismantled for transport to Oklahoma City, David Underhill salvaged the church organ for preservation. The purchaser, a photographer, transformed the church into an art studio in the city’s Paseo Art District. Shirley Underhill shared photos of the church’s new incarnation with the community.
Over the years, the Old Trinity Church in Oklahoma City changed hands multiple times, serving as an art studio, wedding venue, private residence, and, most recently, an art studio again. A plaque honoring its New Brunswick roots remains in place, underscoring its heritage. Realtor Britta Thrift facilitated the recent property sale, highlighting the unique historical value and challenges in pricing the building.
The latest owners, artists Lin and Ernesto Sanchez, have turned the building into Ernesto’s art studio. The couple, familiar with the Paseo Art District, found the space conducive to creativity and plan to open it to visitors by appointment. They expressed a sense of responsibility in preserving the church’s legacy for future generations.
