Trinity Episcopal Church was established in 1817 by 30 laymen and the Rev. Philander Chase, missionary priest and first Bishop of Ohio. The congregation has worshipped on Capitol Square for almost 170 years. Trinity’s present building, designed by Gordon W. Lloyd, was built in 1869.

Since its founding Trinity has striven to live into its mission as a downtown church. Beginning in the late 19th century and continuing for many decades, the church sponsored organizations for single working women and poor families. Early in the 20th century the congregation was active in the Social Gospel movement. The Open Church, a ministry to the homeless, was housed at Trinity for many years beginning in the 1970s.

Trinity contains many artistic works of historic significance. The Pre-Raphaelite style window in the East wall, dedicated in 1910, was designed by David Maitland Armstrong, who worked with Louis Comfort Tiffany before opening his own studio. The four windows in the north and south transept galleries were designed by Wilbur Herbert Burnham of Boston and were dedicated in the years following World War II. They depict the story of the Creation, the Old Covenant, the New Covenant, and the continuing work of Christians in the world. In 1976 the church was named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Trinity was honored to represent the Diocese of Southern Ohio as one of the hosts to the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. On June 18, 2006, the House of Bishops, meeting at Trinity Church, elected the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori as the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the first woman to serve as a Primate in the Anglican Communion.

The book "Be It Remembered" by Lisa M. Klein tells the story of Trinity Church, and is available for purchase through the Parish Office.