Growth of Trinity-on-Main helps power city renewal
By: William Millerick, The View From Main Street

11/16/2007

The question surrounding Trinity-on-Main these days is no longer if it will be successful. The question is how successful it will be.

Over the past few years, Trinity-on-Main, the massive, striking stone building in the heart of downtown, has matured into a professionally run arts and cultural center for the city.

There is no doubt any longer that the former Trinity United Methodist Church is here to stay as a centerpiece of the downtown revitalization effort. But it wasn't always that way. People weren't always that confident, and over the past seven years, it took a lot of work, effort and leadership to bring this project from concept to reality.

There is never a shortage of good ideas in this world. The shortages are in the area of people who can actually make those good ideas happen. When it became known the stone and slate church was being put up for sale by church officials in New York, it was assumed it would be bought and torn down to prepare for a more contemporary structure.

But a contingent of people who lived and worked in New Britain, led by Gary Robinson, had a different, more ambitious vision. Always a sleeves-rolled-up visionary, Robinson put together a cadre of people who shared his feeling that Trinity Church could and should be saved and reborn as a cultural center.

By now you know most of the history. It took year after year, scratching and clawing for money, trying to buy the building, keep it patched up and get local, state and federal help, always fueled by volunteers such as Catherine Stockman and Geoff Bray.

A board of directors was put together, featuring a lot of well-known local names, to give the project added gravitas. An independent, nonprofit, Trinity-on-Main LTD, was created and the building was bought.

Anne Pilla was hired as the first executive director and gave it a critically important voice and face.

From an early schedule of musical events and meetings, the building's reputation spread and more attractions were scheduled.

Building up Trinity-on-Main has been tricky, to say the least.

On one hand, you want a venue that offers entertainment, attracts people and is self-sustaining. At the same time, the building needs to be renovated.

From a leaky roof to handicapped-accessible bathrooms, lighting and air conditioning, it all takes money.

The day is coming soon that Trinity-on-Main will stage its first capital campaign. When that day comes, everyone - businesses, nonprofits and citizens - will be encouraged to support the effort. By waiting this long to raise that money, contributors will be able to see, in real terms and real numbers, that Trinity can and will be successful. It's no longer just a good idea.

Today, Pilla is full time. New co-presidents Carmine Abate and Tony Bianca Jr., both with deep experience in construction, oversee the board, and the process of elevating Trinity-on-Main to an entertainment powerhouse continues to pick up speed and momentum.

Just this week, the swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Timothy Stewart, the Common Council and other city officials was held there under the magnificent wood ceiling and exquisite millwork. The schedule includes rock 'n' roll and classical. Pilla has worked with couples who are using the building for wedding receptions.

Trinity is also gaining an important niche as a place for comedy. From a couple of early Comedy Night experiments, Trinity is becoming known as one of THE comedy venues in Connecticut. And the shows are almost-always sold out.

One of the gratifying experiences is to be at a Trinity event and ask people where they are from and whether they've been here before. Many, many shows have an audience of first-timers to the building and frequently from outside the region.

That's important, because success will be based on attracting audiences from the entire region and state. That's just what many shows have done. So many people should get a pat on the back for the success of Trinity-on-Main. Everyone from those first visionaries to the people and organizations who make up the board and committees, the generous local foundations, the mayor and city government and perhaps, most especially, the volunteers.

One cannot run an entertainment venue, be it Hartford Stage, the Bushnell or Trinity-on-Main, without lots of volunteers. Trinity has an incredible cadre of volunteers at every event. And more are needed and will be needed as Trinity grows.

Take a look at the schedule at TrinityonMain.org or the Chamber's calendar at newbritainchamber.com to get a flavor.

The day is coming, soon, when Trinity and the Hole in the Wall Theater, across the street, and South Church, which hosts music events on the opposite corner, will be joined by planned restaurants open in the evening. Safe, well-lit parking is on that same corner.

A tidy little entertainment district is on the verge of being created in the middle of the downtown revitalization project.

William F. Millerick s president of the New Britain Chamber of Commerce. He may be reached at bill@newbritainchamber.com.