The idea to build a church in South Nashville was conceived by Reverend Charles Tomes, third rector of Christ Church Episcopal and husband of Henrietta Otey, daughter of Bishop James Hervey Otey. In 1849, Holy Trinity began as Saint Paul's Mission, the first Episcopal mission in Nashville. When the mission was elevated to a parish, plans were made to build The Church of the Holy Trinity. This new church would be a "free church," meaning that it would not partake in the "pew owning" practice employed by Christ Church Episcopal.

After the Civil War, many of the church members moved away from the battle-damaged neighborhood. The church gained a predominantly black congregation, and in 1907 the Diocese of Tennessee officially designated Holy Trinity as the church for black Episcopalians in Nashville.

The church was built of blue limestone and serves as an example of the Gothic Revival architecture that was widely used in rural churches in England. The church was specifically designed to fit its small triangular lot - a lot that was donated by Mr. M.W. Wetmore, a real estate dealer in Edgefield.

Sources:

Mayme Hart Johnson, A Treasury of Tennessee Churches (Brentwood: J M Productions, Inc., 1986), p. 93.

Brian Lewis, "Holy Trinity stands tall… for history and the future," The Tennessean, June 29, 2002.

Kay Beasley, "Holy Trinity celebrates 140 years," The Nashville Banner, February 26, 1992.