Trinity United Methodist Church has sponsored the Candlelight Concert Series since 2001.  Concerts are held on the 4th Thursday of each month in our main church building on the 4^th Thursday of each month (3^rd Thursday in November & December). 

Trinity UMC is the oldest church in the Port Townsend area, established in 1854 and built in 1871.  We are located in the “uptown” area of Port Townsend on the corner of Taylor and Clay Streets.  Although a smaller congregation, our music program thrives.  The church is fortunate to have among its members a variety of talented musicians, and two wonderful pipe organs:  a 1902 Mudler Tracker Pipe Organ (Romantic style) as well as an 18th century (emulation) of a Silbermann Baroque style Pipe Organ. In addition we have a superb Czechoslovakian Petrof Grand Piano that can be used to accompany our performing artists.  In normal (i.e. non-pandemic) times, our sanctuary is ideal for concerts ranging up to 150 attendees.  Past performers have given us many compliments regarding the favorable acoustics of our building for both vocal and instrument performances.

The Candlelight Concert Series was initially started in response to a desperate need.  On Wednesday, February 28^th, 2001 (Ash Wednesday) at 10:54am the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually Earthquake shook the Puget Sound region.  Trinity’s 130 year old structure was literally shaken off its foundation with the Bell Tower leaning precariously over Taylor Street, closing that section of Taylor for several weeks. Repair estimates were well over $50,000, which led the Church to inaugurate the Candlelight Concert Series to raise funds to repair the church building. Repairs on the church building were completed thanks in part to generous donations from people in the community and the church membership. At this point Trinity members realized that Candlelight Concerts filled a vital need within the community for a venue that showcased local area musicians; and so the program has thrived and continued to this day!

The mission of Candlelight Concerts is to provide a venue for local and surrounding area musical artists.  We focus on local groups and individuals that are interested in performing in a benefit style concert.  Our performers have ranged from coloratura sopranos, string quartets, jazz & blues quartets, singer-songwriterrs, and choral groups of all sizes.  Our programs generally range in length from an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the material performed by the artist.

Once we resume in-person concerts, we can arrange for a short “standing” intermission during performances if desired, and host a reception after the concert with refreshments. We can also provide an area for promotional literature and CDs if the performers wish to sell them.  Our admission is by donation only (suggested $10, children free) with the proceeds from our concerts going to local charitable organizations (e.g., Dove House, Gathering Place, Jumping Mouse Children’s Center, etc.) as well as the Trinity’s own Victorian restoration program of our now 145 year old historic structure.  For our performing artists, we may solicit a charitable organization of their choosing.