This Saturday, June 28 at 11 a.m., a dedication and blessing of a plaque recognizing this honor will be installed at the Trinity Church property at Euclid and Washington, above. The Episcopal Bishop of Missouri, Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson will be in attendance, as well as Trinity’s Rector Rev. Jon Stratton, Assoc. Rector Rev. Aaron Rogers, and local leaders connected to the gay community. The event, which is open to the public, coincides with Gay Pride Weekend in St. Louis.
One of the speakers scheduled for Saturday’s event is Gregory Smith, owner of the CWE’s Coiffures by Shawn. In 1969, when Smith was 20 years old, he was arrested along with 8 other men in drag on Halloween night. The men were taken to the main police station in downtown St. Louis and charged with “masquerading.” Members of the The Mandrake Society, a powerful advocate for the gay community that had been established the previous April, posted bail.
Trinity’s application for inclusion in the National Register mentions the role of The Mandrake Society, which was housed at the church. Since then, Trinity Church has continued to be a welcoming meeting site for other LGBTQ+ organizations. The church was also recognized for its support of gay rights during the HIV epidemic.
None of Trinity’s work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community would have been recognized in such a public way without the hard work of parishioners Ella Chapman & Etta Taylor, Church Historian. They contributed many hours toward the effort and provided information to Katie Batza, now an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at K. U., who earlier in her career spent a couple of years writing the proposal to the National Register of Historic Places. Credit also goes to Dr. Ian Darnell, Curatorial Assistant for LGBTQIA+ collections at Missouri Historical Museum, for suggesting that Batza get involved.
All are invited to attend the dedication and blessing at Trinity Episcopal Church, Euclid & Washington, Saturday June 28 at 11 a.m. Euclid will be closed to traffic between Delmar and Washington for the event.
Nicki thank you for the terrific story. Trinity Church is very special and the recognition seems so appropriate.