Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, San Jose

Located in downtown San Jose, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral holds a distinguished place in the city's history. Not only is it the oldest church structure in continuous use in San Jose, but it also serves as the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real. Recognized as a San Jose Historic City Landmark, Trinity stands as a symbol of enduring faith and architectural heritage.

The current church building was completed in 1863 and consecrated in 1867 by Bishop Kip. Designed by retired sea captain and shipbuilder James W. Hammond—who also served on Trinity’s vestry—the structure was originally a simple redwood rectangle with a steep hipped roof, crafted from timber harvested in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains.

As the congregation grew, so did the building. In a remarkable act of 19th-century ingenuity, Hammond orchestrated a dramatic expansion by having the church cut in half and pulled apart by a team of horses. The building was then reoriented to face North Second Street, and arms were added to give it the traditional cross-shaped layout. A bell tower and spire followed, with the spire being added in 1884. Renovations in 1958 gave the cathedral its current form.

Trinity is not only the oldest Episcopal congregation in San Jose but also the oldest Episcopal cathedral church in California. Since its elevation to cathedral status in 1980—when the Diocese of El Camino Real was created from the Diocese of California—Trinity has remained a central and historic spiritual home for the region.