Church of the Most Holy Trinity

Church of the Most Holy Trinity Historic Augusta, Inc.

Church of the Most Holy Trinity (St. Patrick’s Church) is significant as one of the first examples in Georgia of the Round-Arch or Romanesque Revival style that had its origins in Germany. A number of central European architects transmitted the style to America. John Rudolph Niernsee designed the church. He immigrated to the United States to become one of the most significant architects practicing in Baltimore during the mid-19th century. The painting, sculpture, and stained glass in the church are important examples of mid-19th century fine art and decorative arts.

In addition, Most Holy Trinity has one of the two oldest Catholic Church buildings in Georgia.  The church also is known for its efforts to promote the welfare of citizens of Augusta during times such as the 1839 and 1854 Yellow Fever epidemics.  During the epidemics, the church served as a temporary hospital. During the Civil War, it cared for ill federal prisoners of war en route to the Andersonville prison.

Begun in 1857 and consecrated in 1863, the stuccoed-brick church features a basilica plan with a vaulted nave and side aisles, an octagonal apse, and a narthex.   Between 1894 and 1899, an octagonal bell tower and spire were added to the northwest tower. The Dorr family donated the 4,750 lb. bell, which hangs in the tower. The inscription on the bell reads, “Presented to St. Patrick’s Church, Augusta, Georgia, 1894. McShane Bell Foundry, Baltimore, Maryland.”

Decoration of the church integrates architecture with painting and sculpture.  Most apparent is the rich color often highlighting architectural elements.  J. and J. Devereaux painted the interior walls of the church. A mural scene of the lamentation is above the apse.  The artists Lamkau and Kreuger painted three more murals.

Church of the Most Holy Trinity Historic Augusta, Inc.

The gallery above the narthex holds a 29–rank Jardine organ.  It was built by the New York firm George Jardine & Son during the Civil War but not delivered until 1868 because of the Union blockade of southern ports. The organ is set in a gabled Romanesque-style wood case.  In 1993, The American Organist reported, “the organ is the largest extant 19th–century organ … and one of the largest Jardine’s in the country.”

Original stained glass windows are above the altar illuminating the apse.  In 1919, elaborate stained glass windows designed by Mayer & Company of Munich, Germany replaced the 12 opaque windows along the side aisles that were from the date of construction.