A landmark in the history of the church was the purchase in 1856 of the White Street lots, and the vote to raise money for the construction of a church building by the sale of pews. It required two additional dollars in those days to have the luxury of a carpeted pew. An indication of how vital the income from pew rentals has been in the life of the church was the appointment in 1904 of an assistant who helped the church treasurer collect delinquent pew rentals on a commission basis. It was not until 1943 that the practice of renting pews was abandoned. Historically the church has not known prosperity.
Continued reference is made to the struggle of the communicants to finance their parish.
Financial distress caused by the Great Rebellion and affecting a majority of parish members is given as the reason for the meagerness of the church treasury. Records of 1870 speak of the inability of the church to raise money. It was not until 1895 that the parish began the year free from debt. Perhaps it was this painful austerity that led Trinity in 1907 to make its first overture to neighboring St. John's - an invitation to join with Trinity and together built a new church.