By Michelle L. Santoro

Sherman – Just over three years ago, the parishes of Holy Trinity and St. Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield merged into a single parish to foster collaboration between the two communities, promote future growth of the parish and achieve financial efficiency.  At that time, it was also announced by the Rev. Robert Wolfe, who was appointed parish administrator, that the parish would proceed with the building of a new church along with a complete renovation of the existing hall and reconfigurations of the property.  Longtime Sherman resident and Holy Trinity member Martha Cordes left the church an endowment following her death in 2015.  Fr. Wolfe had said, “the generosity of our parishioners over our 40-year existence as a parish has given us the adequate fiscal footing in the form of a generous endowment to pursue this project for the sacramental and communal future of Holy Trinity.” 

In 1981, the former Holy Trinity Chapel was constructed on 10-acres of land donated to St. Edward’s by Sherman resident Margaret O’Neil in 1964 with a stipulation that the land only be used for the construction of a church.  Unfortunately, after much testing and surveying, it became clear that renovating the existing structure was not in the cards.  Fr. Wolfe advised that the building was deemed “in such poor condition that the expense to not only remediate the mold, but also to repair, reinforce, and reconfigure its existing structures, foundations, and ventilation issues” was too great and not in the best interest of the parish.  According to Doug Kastlilahn, a former trustee of the church and, in conjunction with Fr. Wolfe, the project’s manager, the former building was “sited in the wrong place;” it was in/on wetlands.  Additionally, the HVAC system was cause for concern.  Mr. Kastlilahn said that contrary to the plans, the heating system was in dirt rather than slab, which led to a host of problems, including rust on the air ducts.  “It was a petri dish.”  That, coupled with flaws in framing, a minimum number of windows and no gutters, Kastlilahn said they were fighting a never-ending battle.    “Thanks to Martha, we were able to take it down and build a new one.” 

Under the directive of Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport and the decision of parish leadership, a new chapel was to be constructed on the site to “serve the sacramental and communal needs of the existing community.”

It was not all smooth sailing for the project.  For one, before Holy Trinity could submit a building application and proceed with the building process, it first had to demolish the existing structure.  November 4 and 5, 2023 was the last weekend when the former Holy Trinity campus was open.  After that, worshippers would have to attend mass either in the cafeteria space at the Sherman School, as had occurred prior to construction of the former structure, or at St. Edward.  Following a meeting with the Sherman Wetlands Commission in mid-November and approval to move forward by the Planning and Zoning chair, demolition of the old church was scheduled to commence at the end of November 2023. 

In July 2024, Sherman’s Planning & Zoning Commission approved Holy Trinity’s site and building plan for a new chapel, after which Fr. Wolfe shared with the parish community renderings of the chapel that would grace the Sherman campus.  Following the approval, First Selectman Don Lowe said “The Holy Trinity Church is such an important part of our Sherman life and it’s a relief that it will continue. The chapel itself is quaint and tasteful and will be a nice addition to Sherman’s infrastructure.”  While the new church does not have a steeple, Kastlilahn said, “I’m very proud of the way the chapel looks.”  He also sounded proud when he shared that they were able to save the altar from the old church.  Currently, there is a roof over it and the altar is being kept as an outdoor prayer station.   

 Construction of the new chapel began in the spring of 2025.  Respecting Sherman’s architectural heritage, the church project seeks to provide a place of worship that also reflects the needs of the surrounding community. 

Recently, Mr. Lowe said, “from the Town’s perspective, we are so pleased with the progress of the Holy Trinity church, and we look forward to its opening. That parish is one of the cores to Sherman life and culture here, and it’s very important to those of us who care about Sherman.”  If you have a moment, drive by the campus to view construction progress.  While Fr. Wolfe is hesitant to provide a date certain, preferring to keep mum on the subject, completion of the new Holy Trinity Church is near, much to the delight of parish members and community alike.  Many, including this writer, are anxious to glimpse a peek inside.