Betty Smith, the author of the novel "A Tree
Grows In Brooklyn," was born on December 15, 1896 as Elisabetha Wehner (child of
Joannes Wehner and Katharina Hommel); according to the Baptismal Registry of
this church, she was baptized by the Reverend Nicholas M. Wagner here (then
simply known as “Holy Trinity”) on January 24, 1897. In the best-selling novel,
Smith wrote about a fictitious girl named Francie who grew up in Williamsburg,
Brooklyn. Although Trinity is never mentioned by name, the author clearly refers
to her own church.
Did you know . . .
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
“Francie thought it was the most beautiful church in Brooklyn. It was made of old gray stone and had twin spires that rose cleanly into the sky, high above the tallest tenements. Inside, the high vaulted ceilings, narrow deepset stained-glass windows and elaborately carved altars made it a miniature cathedral.”
Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1943) p 390.
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