OLD TRINITY OF PASEO

Tom Lee's Photography Studio

Old Trinity Anglican Church began life in 1842 in Blackville, New Brunswick, Canada. So, how did it end up in the Paseo Arts District in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma?

The late photographer and entrepreneur Tom Lee found it for sale on the internet and bought it sight unseen!

After arranging for dismantling and transporting, Old Trinity arrived in the Paseo in November of 2000. Seven months later after being reassembled it was once again ready for use. The men that brought this old church from Canada were said to be the great grandsons of the man who donated the land where the structure stood for all those years.

The land where it now resides had never been built on. Built back on an East-West alignment just as it was in Blackville was fitting. Father Dale Petley of All Souls Episcopal Church in OKC began his ministry at Old Trinity in 1982 when it was in Blackville. He was present for the opening and completion of his relocated first church, now residing in the same city as he. Father Dale gave his blessings for the New Purpose of this building, Tom Lee's Photography Studio!

Tom Lee was a well known and admired Photographer in OKC and the State. An Oklahoma Treasure claimed by the Governor, and I agree. Confined to a wheel chair at an early age by a car wreck, He did not let that stand in his way. Tom hang up his camera in 2010, but not before leaving a portfolio of fine images and this beautiful, relocated with care, structure in the Paseo!

Tom Lee loved this Church turned Studio. The lighting and the shadows, plus the shear openness was in sync with his lens. There was room for him to move about while shooting portraits. I had the opportunity to view some of his works at a showing a few years back, little did I know then that I would be kickn' around taking snapshots of his studio and beloved Paseo!

Kickn' Along the Sidewalks

part 9