Holy Trinity Episcopal Church sits in downtown Clemson on Old Greenville Highway, directly across from historic Riggs Field on the north side of the Clemson University campus. The parish describes itself as a welcoming, inquisitive and faithful Christian community serving Clemson and many surrounding communities in Upstate South Carolina, and it is part of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Holy Trinity is known for its two Sunday Eucharists, a family formation program that starts at 9:30 am, the Canterbury college ministry, and a second parish home at historic St. Paul's Church in Pendleton.
Two Sundays' Eucharists on Old Greenville Highway
Regular worship runs September through May. At 8:00 am the parish celebrates Holy Eucharist, Rite I, without music. At 10:30 am comes Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with music, and that service is streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Between the two services and after them are the quieter parts of the Sunday rhythm: a Morning Fellowship Hour from 9:00 to 10:00 am, fellowship in the Parish Hall after each service, and an Afternoon Fellowship Hour at 11:30 am. Parking is completely sold out for Clemson football, and the church's downtown location sits at 193 Old Greenville Highway, with the mailing address the same as the street address.
Nursery Care, Children's Church, and the Tom Davis Library
Families are woven into the shape of Sunday morning here. Nursery care for children from infancy through PreK begins at 9:30 am. Children's Church for ages K through 4th grade meets at 10:15 am in the Parish Hall, where the program includes chapel, a liturgical Bible story, a snack, and an activity; the children then join the 10:30 service at the Peace. On the first Sunday of each month, the 10:30 service is a children's service. Adults gather for Adult Sunday School at 9:30 am in the Tom Davis Library on the first floor of the Parish Hall, and organized supervision is provided for children up to 5th grade, so a family can divide between class and worship without a scramble.
Canterbury Dinners and Monday Formation
College students have their own corner of the parish in Canterbury, the ministry for students that follows the Clemson University academic calendar. On Mondays the Parish Hall hosts a free dinner at 6:00 pm and a small group at 7:00 pm. Other Monday practices include Centering Prayer at 4:00 pm and Signs & Grace at 4:30 pm. Middle and high school students gather for youth group on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall, and a series of confirmation preparation classes is offered for young people who wish to make a public affirmation of their faith in the Episcopal Church.
St. Paul's: The Mother Church in Pendleton
Holy Trinity's story reaches back through historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pendleton, about four miles southeast of Clemson. St. Paul's was established in 1820 as the first Episcopal parish in the northwestern portion of South Carolina. Following the Civil War, rectors from St. Paul's began planting unorganized missions in the towns of Anderson, Walhalla, Seneca, and the village of Calhoun. St. Paul's remains an integral part of parish life and community today. It stands on Queen Street directly across from the city government office, at 328 E. Queen St., Pendleton. On the first Sunday of each month, Holy Eucharist, Rite I is celebrated there at 5:00 pm, and on third Sundays Evening Prayer is held at 5:00 pm, with a traditional Evensong service featuring the Holy Trinity Choir sung twice a year in place of spoken Evening Prayer. St. Paul's also hosts a thrift shop at 314 East Queen Street, open Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and on the third Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Learning for Every Age and the Work of ECW
The parish's learning ministry stretches from Episcopal Day School and nursery care to Adult Christian Learning, which includes Sunday Bible study and book clubs, and Education for Ministry, a small group program for adults who desire a deeper knowledge of scripture, church history, and theology. Groups of six to twelve adults meet with a mentor or two who guide them. The Episcopal Church Women, or ECW, are women of all ages and backgrounds who share the love of God and the wish to do his work, caring for the church, the community, and the world through opportunities for spiritual growth and servant ministry. The parish also takes part in wider outreach through Episcopal Relief and Development.
Giving and the Parish Office
Gifts can be made through secure online giving as regular pledge payments, a one-time gift, or a payment for an event, with automatic bank debit available for recurring pledges. A capital campaign called "Our Doors" supports property improvements. The Rev. Suzanne L. Cate serves as priest at Holy Trinity, and The Right Rev. Daniel Richards is the bishop of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Jerae Wallace works with youth and their families. The parish office at 193 Old Greenville Highway is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 9:00 am to noon on Fridays, with the phone number (864) 654-5071 and the email htchurch@holytrinityclemson.org.