New BrunswickThe Old Trinity Church, built in 1842, was deconsecrated in the late 1990s, dismantled and bought by an Oklahoma-based photographer, who had it trucked from Blackville to the Paseo Art District in the state capital. Now it is an art studio.‘Being in the space is very conducive to creativity,’ says new owner of Blackville buildingRhythm Rathi · CBC News · Posted: Oct 11, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoThe Old Trinity Church in Blackville was deconsecrated, dismantled and moved to Oklahoma city’s Paseo Art District on two transport trucks. (Submitted by Elizabeth Kimball)A historic New Brunswick church that was sold in the late 1990s has taken on a new life in Oklahoma City’s bustling arts district.The Old Trinity Church was built in 1842, and at the time was the only Anglican church in Blackville, N.B., said Shirley Underhill, who claims to be one of the last people baptized in the church. “The people tried to preserve the old church and keep it as a memorial, but we couldn’t find enough money,” he said. “I was happy to see that it was going to have life again.”Underhill was involved with the Old Trinity Church for over four decades, and worked on restoring the site after the building was deconsecrated in the late 1990s, sold and moved. The Old Trinity Church in Oklahoma’s Paseo Art District will be new owner Ernesto Sanchez’s art studio. (Submitted by Britta Thrift)The site now holds a monument naming all the past church ministers; it is used as a burial ground for people who are cremated, Underhill said.Former Blackville resident David Underhill said the church was the venue for many weddings in the community, including his sister’s. “The church was filled, and there was all these flowers and the cars,” he said.He also said he recalls visiting the skating rink behind the church, which gathered a lot of people from the community. WATCH | How a former N.B. church became an American art studio:New Brunswick church gets yet another new life in Oklahoma CityAfter serving the Blackville, N.B., community for 150 years, this historic church travelled south of the border in 2001. Recently it came under new ownership again.”That’s what I remember: Going there in the wintertime and you met all your school friends,” he said.After the church was deconsecrated, Shirley Underhill said, “I think it was about two years that went by when this guy in Oklahoma City, in Oklahoma, they purchased the church.”Shirley Underhill was involved with the Old Trinity Church for over four decades. He also worked on restoring the Blackville site after the church was moved. (Submitted by Shirley Underhill)When the church was being dismantled to ship across the border on two transport trucks in late 2000, David Underhill was lucky enough to be able to take the church organ home. “I wanted to preserve something of the church.” The buyer was a photographer, and the destination was Oklahoma City’s Paseo Art District.David Underhill’s sister Elizabeth Kimball married Reginald Kimball at the Old Trinity Church in 1960. (Submitted by Elizabeth Kimball )Shirley Underhill said that person sent pictures of its reincarnation in its new location, and they are posted in Blackville’s newer Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Main Street.Over the years, the Old Trinity Church changed hands a few times in Oklahoma’s biggest city. At first an art studio, it then became a wedding venue, transitioned into a private home, and recently became an art studio again.All the while, a plaque commemorated its New Brunswick heritage, and can be seen underneath one of the windows in the kitchen.Britta Thrift was the realtor who sold the property most recently, in April of this year. She said the building had a few renovations done over time and pricing it was a unique challenge.A picture of the Old Trinity Church’s location in Paseo, Okla., displayed at the new Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Blackville, N.B. (Submitted by Shirley Underhill)”I had no idea what I was walking into,” she recalled. “As soon as I walked up, I thought, ‘Wow… This is an incredible piece of history.’ “There’s nothing like it in order to compare it to with any houses … or any other commercial properties around here. It’s, it’s so unique,” said Thrift.She said many people in the area had personal ties to the church through weddings or baby showers. This property was very popular and hence a quick sell.”It’s certainly a feather in my cap, you know, professionally,” said Thrift. Ernesto Sanchez, one of the new owners of the Trinity Church in Oklahoma’s Paseo Art District, will use it as his art studio. (Submitted by Britta Thrift)Artists Lin and Ernesto Sanchez are the new owners of the building, which is now Ernesto’s art studio. Both have been around the Paseo Art District for quite some time, and thought the building would be a perfect fit for their future in the area, said Lin.”The light here is so glorious, there’s a serenity here, so it’s just being in the space is very conducive to creativity,” she said.Both said the space will be open to visitors by appointment, and by walk-ins on certain days. This will keep the old church alive for those who want to visit it. “We felt like we were ready for that responsibility,” said Lin. “And even after us, it will continue to have some legacy to it,” Ernesto added.ABOUT THE AUTHORRhythm Rathi is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick in Moncton. He was born and raised in India, and attended journalism school in Ontario. Send your story tips to rhythm.rathi@cbc.ca
How a historic church from central New Brunswick became an art studio in Oklahoma
