"Being on the historic register is significant," said Anne Pilla, executive director
of Trinity on Main. "The building is protected by the federal government."
The venue was nominated on Thursday at a ceremony that featured a presentation of the
information researched by historic consultant James Sexton and a reading of a letter
from Mayor Timothy Stewart.
About six or seven other buildings were on the agenda at the meeting. Other downtown
buildings such as city hall and South Church are also on the National Historic
Register.
While on the register, the 116-year-old venue will benefit from some protection from
the government if anyone attempts to tear the building down.
It will also heighten the venue's chance of receiving funding from the government or
other sources, Pilla said.
Sexton said he worked on and off for about two years doing research on the church.
"Much of the work was done at the local New Britain Public Library," he said.
"Certainly a lot of it involved spending time in the building itself."
He also researched old newspaper articles written about the building and the history
of the building's architect, Amos Cutting.
The church was built in 1891 and took three years to complete. It was nominated to the
State Historic Register in March 2006.
According to the National Register of Historic Places Web site, properties must fit
one or more of the following criteria to be nominated: associated with events that
have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; associated
with the lives of persons significant in our past; embody the distinctive
characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represent the
work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a
significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual
distinction; or have yielded or may be likely to yield information important in
prehistory or history.
"It's recognition of the building's importance," Sexton said.
Trinity on Main, located at 69 Main St., has offered a wide variety of entertainment
and performances, ranging from comedy shows and rock concerts to classical music and
opera. The church has even held several weddings as well.
The nomination package will be sent to Washington, D.C., for final approval.
Organizers are now planning an event to take place sometime in May to celebrate the
nomination.
"It was an exciting day for us," Pilla said.
