The Heart of the Church in Haiti H O LY T R I N I T Y C AT H E D R A L

Our heart keeps us alive. It nourishes the rest

13 clinics, a university, and a seminary. The

of our body by constantly pumping blood

reason Haitians said that Holy Trinity is their

to the organs, muscles, and sinews: all that

priority in rebuilding is that they desperately

makes us who we are. Symbolically, it is the

miss their spiritual home; and they know that

home of our emotions, where love and hope

when that heart is restored, the rest of the

reside. Biblically, it is the seat of all thinking,

body will also begin to heal.

as well.

And it is not just Haitian Episcopalians who

This is the way Haitians view Holy Trinity

want this cathedral. It has always been a

Cathedral. The life of this lively, and fastest-

beacon of hope for all Haitians – Haitians of

growing, diocese of The Episcopal Church

all faiths, and Haitians of no faith. As a place

flows from its heart. And that life includes

of beauty and a center of culture, Holy Trinity

200 churches, 254 schools, two hospitals,

attracted thousands. So, too, will the new

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An architectural rendering of the new Cathedral

Holy Trinity. If “home is where the heart is,”

Beauty will once again define Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity is Haiti’s heart.

Cathedral. Plans for the new Holy Trinity

Beauty has always graced this cathedral. Famous murals told, in vibrant color and detail, the stories of the Bible. Haiti’s only orchestra created aural beauty. Holy Trinity schools addressed the beauty of, and need for, knowledge.

embrace a three-fold structure: a welcome space that includes a garden and the narthex; an in-the-round liturgical/cultural/ performance space with a balcony, side chapels, and a columbarium; and a revenueproducing hospitality space with diocesan offices and meeting rooms.

HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL 3

A view of the sanctuary and altar

On the corner of rue Pavée and rue Monseigneur Guilloux, the new cathedral anchors a major intersection in downtown Port- au-Prince, revitalizing that part of Haiti’s capital city. It becomes, once again, a cathedral of and for the community. The beauty of this proposed structure is more than skin-deep. It is designed to international hurricane- and earthquakeresistant standards. Metal shutters, crafted by local artisans, will keep out nature’s fiercer elements. With the capacity for 1,200 people and the ability to produce its own solar power and potable water, the cathedral can also serve as a shelter in future times of natural disasters. Such practicality is the model for

other diocesan construction. Kerns Group Architects of Arlington, Virginia, working in concert with Studio Drum Collaborative in Port-au-Prince, travelled throughout Haiti, attended the diocesan convention, and listened to parishioners, clergy, bishops, and neighbors, and Haitians from all walks of life who call Sainte Trinité home. And their design reflects the eight essential elements that emerged from these extensive conversations: 1. Respect and celebrate the characteristics of The Episcopal Church in Haiti, the Haitian people, and their culture

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Metal shutters to be crafted by local artisans

2. Provide a beacon of hope for the Haitian people 3. Serve as a prominent landmark of God’s abiding presence with the Haitian people and the Church’s commitment to serve them 4. Respect the memory of the previous cathedral 5. Be lean and smart, a model for future buildings 6. Be inspiring, humble, and hospitable 7. Allow for flexibility

The Cathedrale Sainte Trinité narthex

The bells, which will once again ring out the joyous Good News, all have the names of their donors inscribed on them. The old organ was a gift from a family in New Jersey. Countless loving gifts built that edifice, and countless loving gifts will build the new one. And this one will be built to last, for we have learned what will withstand the extreme forces of nature. The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church voted in February 2010, immediately after the earthquake, to raise $10 million toward the cost of the new cathedral for the Diocese of Haiti. At that time, it was

8. Be a safe haven and self-sufficient

too soon to have the plans or to know the

The guilds that built Mont-Saint-Michel and

the thorough planning and the thoughtful

Chartres in medieval France saw the money and talents they spent on those glorious structures as honoring God. So, too, did this happen with the previous Sainte Trinité.

full cost. But, it was not too soon to begin collaboration that has resulted in the exciting new renderings and digital imaging of a new cathedral that embraces the eight essential

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On the fourth anniversary of the earthquake, January 12, 2014, we came together with our Episcopal, Anglican, and ecumenical partners to raise up this vision and to offer our treasure. January 12, 2014 was a Sunday – the Sunday when, liturgically, we observe the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Providentially, that is one of the three original murals salvaged from the cathedral after the earthquake. So, let us renew our Baptismal vows with our elements requested by our Haitian brothers

Haitian sisters and brothers and celebrate a

and sisters!

new life for Holy Trinity Cathedral. May we

The three-fold structure will cost an estimated $25 million to construct. Approximately 10% of that was raised in the

respond with full hearts. May we give gladly and generously. May our giving bless others. And may we be blessed by our giving.

grassroots campaign “To Rebuild Our Church

For more information, please contact

in Haiti.” So, there is more to do.

Elizabeth M. Lowell, Director of

Gifts of any amount are welcome. Individuals, parishes, and dioceses are invited to participate. Many naming opportunities are available.

Development, The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017 at 212716-6041 or [email protected].