Peeking through the trees, Biserica Sfânta Treime stands tall. This isn’t just another church. It’s a landmark with a captivating story woven into Bucharest’s history.
Biserica Sfânta Treime started back when this area was mostly fields. The neighborhood was called Câmpul Teiului or Linden Tree Field. Before 1900 the population grew. The Ghika family owned the land. They decided to sell parts of their estate.
The Ghika family had a chapel in their palace. Many family members are buried there. But the chapel became too small for the growing community. So people wanted a new bigger church closer to the city.
The Otopeanu family were grain merchants. They donated money. Gheorghe Șerban and his wife Reveica donated over 5000 square meters of land. Ghiță Constantinescu also helped. So did Priest Petre Popescu of the Ghika Chapel. They collected funds and prepared everything needed. Locals and others donated what they could.
Construction began in 1898. In November 1899 Metropolitan Primate Iosif Gheorghian consecrated Biserica Sfânta Treime. At first they called it Biserica Troița din Câmpul Teilor or Trinity Church of the Linden Tree Field. There were many linden trees. Seventy years later some old trees still stood. They made the church look beautiful.
But in 1986 under communist rule Biserica Sfânta Treime lost its land. Apartment buildings surrounded it. The two parish houses were torn down. Biserica Sfânta Treime stands at the intersection of Lacul Tei Boulevard and Grigore Moisil Street. It is near Tei Park.
Biserica Sfânta Treime is large and imposing. It has thick walls and mosaic floors. After the 1899 consecration a large porch was added. Vasile Damian painted the original artwork. It was very valuable. Today only the iconostasis shows his work. C.M. Babic a famous painter created the iconostasis.
Repairs were done in 1921. Vasile Damian’s paintings were cleaned. The 1940 earthquake damaged Biserica Sfânta Treime. The bell tower was separate. It was torn down in 1977. Repairs happened in 1941 and continued until 1943. Biserica Sfânta Treime was reconsecrated.
From 1956 to 1961 more repairs occurred. Ștefan Constantinescu repainted Biserica Sfânta Treime. In November 1961 Bishop Vicar Teoctist Botoșăneanul reconsecrated the church and the new paintings. He later became the Patriarch of Romania.
Priest Ioan Gagiu served at Biserica Sfânta Treime. He used to head the Patriarchal Administration. In 1986 Priest Alexandru-Armand Munteanu joined. This was after Doamna Oltea Church was torn down. Since 1999 Dr. Alexandru Moboc has served as a priest. He works with Dr. Oprea-Călin Paul-Eduard and engineer Constantin-Radu Popescu.
In 2000 a candle lighting area was built. This protected the paintings inside Biserica Sfânta Treime. In 2002 the porch was rebuilt and repainted. Rain and dampness had damaged it. The roof was redone in 2004 with galvanized sheet metal. In 2005 work stopped the dampness. The exterior plaster was repaired.
From 2006 to 2009 the parish built a parish house. They added a bell tower. They created an after-school program. Restrooms and a holy water font were added. The roof was redone with copper sheets. A brick fence was built around the churchyard. The yard was paved. Green spaces were created.
Mayor Neculai Onțanu supported these projects. Patriarch Daniel consecrated the new buildings in August 2009. The church received a second patron saint. Saint Dionisie Exiguul is celebrated on September 1.
Since 2009 a parish library has been open. The pews were replaced with new ones made at the Patriarchate’s workshops. The church floor was redone with marble. The altar was raised. Today Biserica Sfânta Treime continues to be a vital place. It offers after-school programs and tutoring.
So take a moment to appreciate Biserica Sfânta Treime. It’s more than just a building. It is a testament to community faith and perseverance.