Trinity Episcopal Church Records

This collection consists mostly of correspondence from Harry S. Truman and Bess Wallace Truman to their friends, Oscar and Linda King; correspondence accompanying contributions to the church in memory of Bess Truman; minutes of church meetings; a record of memorial contributions to the church; and printed materials regarding events at the church that involved the Truman family, such as Margaret Truman’s wedding and Bess Truman’s funeral.

 

[Administrative Information | Organizational History Note | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List]

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Size: Less than one linear foot (about 800 pages).
Access: Open.
Copyright: Trinity Episcopal Church.
Processed by: Cassie Mundt (2008); Randy Sowell (2010).

[ Top of the page | Administrative Information | Organizational History Note | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List ]

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ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY NOTE

1878		Trinity Episcopal Church built in Independence, Missouri.
1903 (May 8)		Elizabeth "Bess" Virginia Wallace confirmed at Trinity Episcopal Church by the Right Reverend Edward Atwill.
1919 (June 28)		Harry S. Truman and Elizabeth "Bess" Virginia Wallace wee married at Trinity Episcopal Church.
1956 (April 21)		Margaret Truman and E. Clifton Daniel were married at Trinity Episcopal Church.
1959		President Truman delivered a short address at the dedication of the Trinity Episcopal Church's new wing.
1982 (October 21)		Funeral services for Bess W. Truman were held at Trinity Episcopal Church.

[ Top of the page | Administrative Information | Organizational History Note | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List ]

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COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

The records of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Independence, Missouri consist mostly of correspondence from Harry S. Truman and Bess Wallace Truman to their friends, Oscar and Linda King; correspondence accompanying contributions to the church in memory of Bess Truman; minutes of church meetings; a record of memorial contributions to the church; and printed materials regarding events at the church that involved the Truman family, such as Margaret Truman’s wedding and Bess Truman’s funeral. The collection also includes a copy of a speech delivered by Mr. Truman during a cornerstone-laying ceremony at the church in 1959; excerpts from the parish registry documenting such events as the confirmation of Bess Wallace in 1903; and other items pertaining to the history of the church and its association with the Truman family.

The collection is arranged in three series. The first series, the Correspondence File, is mostly comprised of correspondence from the Trumans to the Kings. Linda King and Bess Wallace were members of the same bridge club. Bess wrote Linda often while she was in Washington D.C. Many of the letters are thank-you notes for gifts or flowers from the King family. Often, Bess mentions in the letters her gratitude for receiving a favorite item from home that she could not purchase in Washington, D.C. Most of the letters in this series are from Mrs. Truman.

The second series, the Subject File, includes newspaper clippings concerning Margaret Truman’s marriage to E. Clifton Daniel, and a copy of Truman’s speech at the 1959 cornerstone-laying ceremony. Also included is correspondence from many prominent persons who sent donations to the church in memory of Mrs. Truman, as well as invitations, programs, and other printed materials concerning the Truman family.

The third series, the Church Records File, contains excerpts from the parish registry documenting baptisms, confirmations, and marriages of members of the Truman and Wallace families. Also included in this series is a “Book of Remembrance” recording memorial contributions to the church, and a book containing the minutes of church meetings held from 1901 to 1922, with related financial records and correspondence.

This collection consists entirely of photocopies of original records that have been retained by the Trinity Episcopal Church of Independence, Missouri.

Related collections at the Truman Library include the papers of Harry S. Truman (President’s Personal File 418); the papers of Linda King and Thelma Pallette Seibel , who were members of Mrs. Truman’s bridge club; and the papers of Mary Shaw Branton , whose mother was a member of the club.

[ Top of the page | Administrative Information | Organizational History Note | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List ]

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