One of Trinity's greatest treasures is Barker Hall, the second structure by that name. John H. Barker built the first Barker hall in 1886 as a parochial school and recreational building as a memorial to three deceased children (Cordelia, Wallace and Eugenia who died in infancy). The last class graduated in 1893. In April 1910 Mrs. John H. Barker presented the Cloister to the church as a memorial to her husband. In 1929 the original Barker Hall was razed and the present structure built as a gift and memorial to J. H. Barker by his daughter, Catherine Barker (Spaulding) Hickox.
Read an excerpt from Trinity Episcopal Church: the First Hundred Years by Rev. Robert Center:
Read an excerpt from Trinity Episcopal Church: the First Hundred Years by Rev. Robert Center:
| The building was opened officially Sept. 22, 1930, and the Epiphany Guild served dinner to 300 guests. At that time Mrs. Hickox established an endowment fund (now called the BH Maintenance Fund) of $100,000. The building is faced with Indiana limestone, the auditorium with oak wainscoting and a fully appointed stage with a complete lighting system, modern commercial-type kitchen, balcony with projection booth, ornamental chandeliers suspended from the polychromed ceiling, a gymnasium with dressing rooms and meeting room for the guilds. Over the Sixth Street entrance a sandstone sculpture of Christ and the children by Alfonso Ionelli was | 
Christ and the Children. Alfonso Ionelli, 1930. Photo courtesy of Phil Coffey. |
| emplaced. The oak panels immediately under it include a pattern of symbols: the Greek cross symbolic of the church and the St. Andrew's cross of fellowship, the star of David, a jagged line representing the voice of God, and oak leaves and acorns suggesting the Church in the world. The lower lobby is illuminated by six mullioned windows and special-crafted light fixtures. The ceiling is supported by hand-adzed exposed beams. Set in the east wall are two bronze plaques memorializing both Barker Halls. The parish purchased an ebony finish artist grand Baldwin piano for use in Barker Hall the same year, 1930. In 1969 a campaign was held under the rectorship of Robert J. Center for renovation of the temporal state of the Parish. In 1977, anticipating the sesquicentennial in 1984, a special 150th anniversary fund was raised among the parishioners and added to a gift of $150,000 from an anonymous benefactor. Barker Hall kitchen was redecorated and new floor covering installed. Lobbies and the auditorium were redecorated, windows caulked and painted, the Guild room and Nursery redecorated and refurnished. Two gas-fired Weil-McLain boilers replaced the old oil-fired ones with the assistance of the Barker Hall Maintenance Fund reserve. Extensive remodeling of the Rec. Room took place with a stage, podium and AV library rooom constructed at the south end. New lighting was installed along with a built-in public address system following plans devised by Lee Brockway. The floor was retiled and sidewalls replastered. In 1982 a new roof was applied to BH and the Pre-school room completely redecorated. |
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Through the years, Barker Hall has provided a social gathering place for the people of Michigan City. Weddings, dances, plays and films have made use of this elegant and spacious venue.
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 Gracious features, such as a sweeping staircase and painted, exposed-beam ceiling make Barker Hall the perfect setting for dances, weddings and other celebrations. |
Today, Barker Hall may still be reserved for special events. Its generous windows flood the space with natural light by day, and its warm wood floors and paneling glow by incandescent or candlelight.  |
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Thanks to generous grants from the United Thank Offering and the Barker Welfare Foundation, a stair lift and ramp have been installed to render the Barker Hall wheelchair accessible. |
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With its full proscenium stage and ample seating area, Barker Hall is also an excellent space for meetings, rehearsals and performances. For information about reserving Barker Hall for your next event, please contact Matt or Ed Kis at Great Lakes Catering 898-1501 or 800-622-1309.  |
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Last modified: Thursday, 10 January 2008, 08:14 PM