Hannibal's Trinity Episcopal buys land, then sells it, prior to constructing church in 1859
Note this beautiful sketch that my cousin, Cathy Holstine, drew of Trinity Episcopal Church in Hannibal, Mo. I used it on the cover of "Robinsons of Hannibal, Missouri," published in the early 1990s. My brother, Robert Spaun, and I did the book as a joint project.
A few weeks ago, while researching the history of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Hannibal for a story about repairs to their historic organ, I came across an interesting tidbit of information regarding the first planned location for the church.
Now I have found a companion piece, that tells the "rest of the story."
The church was originally destined for Fourth Street, at the northeast corner of Center. The Vestry sold that lot, and bought the land where the church still stands, a half block away.
I have typed in both articles, giving credit where credit is due. This is just one of the many "nuggets" I've found by poking around online. My Robinson ancestors were among the earliest congregants of this church.
Hannibal Daily Messenger, May 13, 1859
Valuable city lots at auction on Monday May 23d.
The building committee of the new Episcopal Church, about to be erected in this City, will offer for sale, the old church lot, situated on the north-east corner of Centre and Fourth Streets. It has been subdivided into six lots, each 23 2/3 feet front on Centre Street, by 65 ½ feet in depth. These Lots will be offered for sale on Monday, May 23d, on the following terms: viz: - One third cash in hand, one third on a credit of twelve months, and the remainder, in eighteen months. Purchasers to give notes bearing ten per cent interest for the deferred payments, secured by a deed of trust on the lots. Sale to commence at 10 o’clock a.m. on the ground.
Update, from the 1859 Hannibal city directory:
On. Nov. 1, 1851, the lot situated at the corner of Centre and Fourth streets was purchased by the Vestry of the parish, at the cost of $600, with the view of erecting a church edifice; but was afterwards sold at auction for the sum of $2,835, and the lot on Fourth street, between Centre and Bird, purchased at a cost of $2,000, on which the Vestry are now erecting a very neat and handsome lime stone edifice, which, when finished, will be a credit to the city, and an honor to the congregation. It is expected to have the building completed during the present fall. Estimated cost, $6,000. The corner stone was laid by the Rt. Rev. C.S. Hawks, D.D., assisted by rector of the parish and the Rev. Wm. B. Corbyn, on the 6th of May 1858 – there are at this time in the parish upwards of fifty communicants.
