Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Some places are worth driving across the state for. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is one of them. Tucked into the small mountain community of Glendale Springs, this beautifully preserved 1901 Carpenter Gothic church draws visitors from across the country — and the reason isn’t just the building. It’s what’s painted on the wall behind the altar. Ben Long’s life-size “Last Supper” fresco is one of the most celebrated pieces of religious art in North Carolina, and the small white country church that holds it has become one of the most beloved spiritual and artistic destinations in the Blue Ridge. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the place before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Country Church with a Remarkable Story

Holy Trinity was built in 1901 in the Carpenter Gothic architectural style, originally serving a small rural mountain congregation. For decades, it was the spiritual home of a tight-knit community — until the congregation dwindled and the church closed in 1946. For more than thirty years, the building sat unused and slowly fell into disrepair, its future uncertain.

In the late 1970s, a determined restoration effort brought the church back to life. The real turning point came in 1980, when world-renowned fresco artist Ben Long painted the now-iconic “Last Supper” behind the altar — a true fresco painted directly into wet plaster in the centuries-old technique used by Renaissance masters. The piece is life-size, deeply moving, and has been drawing pilgrims, artists, and curious travelers to this tiny country church ever since.

More Than Just “The Last Supper”

While “The Last Supper” is the headliner, it’s far from the only piece of art worth seeing inside Holy Trinity. The church holds additional fresco work, including a piece at the back of the sanctuary painted by one of Ben Long’s students. Downstairs in the Christ the King Chapel and columbarium, you’ll find more art — including the touching “Departure of Christ” fresco painted in 1984 by Jeffrey Mims, one of Long’s students, as a memorial. The basement also features smaller practice frescoes and other works, including the “Christ the King” mosaic.

Today, Holy Trinity is part of the Episcopal Parish of the Holy Communion, sharing its parish with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church just down the road in West Jefferson — together making up what’s commonly known as the “Churches of the Frescoes.” Pairing a visit to both is one of the most rewarding cultural experiences in Ashe County.

A Sacred Space Open to All

What makes Holy Trinity especially welcoming is just how open it is. The church is open all day and night for prayer, quiet reflection, and the simple act of taking in great art in a place where it was painted to be experienced. The original pews, pump organ, and altar are still in place — and a recorded audio narration just inside the entrance walks visitors through the history and meaning of the frescoes if you’d like to learn more about what you’re seeing.

Donations are gratefully accepted to support preservation of the church and the frescoes, but there’s no entrance fee and no pressure. Just a peaceful country church, an open door, and one of the most moving pieces of religious art in the country, waiting to be experienced.

Good to Know

No entrance fee — donations are gratefully accepted to support preservation.
Open all day and night for prayer, reflection, and quiet visits.
Audio narration is available just inside the entrance, with a button you can press to learn about the frescoes.
Don’t miss the downstairs — additional frescoes and art are in the Christ the King Chapel and columbarium, with separate exterior access.
Pair it with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in West Jefferson — the two churches form the “Churches of the Frescoes” and are an easy half-day visit together.
Located at 120 Glendale School Road in Glendale Springs, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

A Glendale Springs Must-Do

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is one of those rare places that earns every bit of its reputation. The building is humble and beautiful. The art is genuinely extraordinary. And the experience of stepping into a quiet country church and finding yourself face-to-face with a world-class fresco painted directly into its walls is the kind of memory that stays with you. Whether you’re an art lover, a person of faith, a traveler exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway, or simply someone who appreciates the quiet beauty of a well-preserved place — Holy Trinity belongs at the top of your list when visiting Ashe County.