Sherman's Trinity Church Rises from Ashes
April 8th 2025
As of April 2025, construction of the new chapel is underway. The project aims to provide a modern worship space that reflects the community's needs while respecting the town's architectural heritage. The church continues to engage with parishioners and local residents to ensure the new facility serves as a welcoming center for faith and community activities.
The original structure of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Sherman was ultimately torn down due to a combination of structural deterioration, evolving safety standards, and the changing needs of the parish community. Over time, the aging building presented increasing maintenance challenges and no longer met modern accessibility or energy efficiency requirements. After thorough evaluation and consultation with parish leadership and the Diocese of Bridgeport, it was determined that a new, purpose-built chapel would better serve the long-term spiritual and communal needs of the congregation while preserving the church’s presence in the town.
A Brief History of Recent Events
2020–2021: Preliminary Discussions and Leadership Changes
In 2020 and 2021, Holy Trinity Catholic Church began evaluating its future direction amidst evolving community needs. This period involved internal assessments and dialogues with the Diocese of Bridgeport to determine the most effective path forward. In 2021, Reverend Nick A. Cirillo was appointed as the administrator, succeeding Reverend Richard J. Gemza, who had served since 2014.
2022: Merger with Saint Edward the Confessor Parish
On July 1, 2022, a significant milestone was achieved when Holy Trinity Catholic Church merged into New Fairfield's Saint Edward the Confessor Parish. This decision, decreed by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport, aimed to foster collaboration between the two communities, achieve financial efficiencies, and promote future growth. Reverend Robert Wolfe, appointed as the administrator of the newly unified parish, emphasized the longstanding relationship between the two congregations and expressed optimism about the opportunities this merger presented.
2023–2024: Approval of New Chapel Construction
Following the merger, attention turned to enhancing the worship facilities in Sherman. On July 15, 2024, the Sherman Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site and building plans for a new chapel for the Catholic Church. First Selectman Don Lowe highlighted the chapel's quaint and tasteful design, underscoring its significance to the Sherman community and its role in preserving the church's presence in the area.