Dr. Higgins is the founding and senior pastor of Trinity Church, having moved here in 1994 to work with the six couples that began the congregation. He is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, (1983, B.A. in philosophy), Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (1989, Master of Divinity, a three-year course of study in theology and pastoral care), and of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry near Pittsburgh (2005, Doctor of Ministry). He currently serves as a member of the Leadership Development Team of the Metropolitan New York Presbytery and has served on the boards of both Chesterton House at Cornell University and the World Reformed Fellowship. He is a member of the La Jolla Fellowship, the T.F. Torrance Theological Fellowship, and the American Scientific Affiliation. Craig grew up in the mountains of northeast Georgia, near Cornelia, and has been a fan of the Braves since the team moved to Atlanta when he was five years old. He and his wife, Ann, have three children—Caroline, Andrew, and Abigail—and live in Rye.
Our Purpose
Trinity Church's vision is to be a flourishing community of individuals and families in the northern NYC suburbs that loves and follows Jesus, and transforms our world through the power of the Gospel.
We celebrate our Reformed heritage, seen in our commitment to the faith reflected in such documents as the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Thirty-Nine Articles.
Our evangelical commitments are seen in our commitments to the authority of Scripture and the priority of God's grace; these are summarized in documents such as the Lausanne Covenant, the articles of faith of the World Evangelical Alliance, and the statement of faith of Fuller Theological Seminary.
Our "catholicity" is seen in our wholehearted embrace of the historic Christian faith expressed in the ecumenical creeds of the universal church (e.g., the Apostles and Nicene Creeds). The term "catholic" refers to the one Christian church of all times and places, made up of all who follow Christ in the fellowship of his people.
Trinity Church's mother church, Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, is launched under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Tim Keller.
Six Redeemer home fellowship group families are challenged to plant a church in Westchester County. Tim Keller tells them "Apart from raising your families, this may be the most important thing you do in your entire life."
Pastor Craig Higgins and his wife Ann join the core families to found Trinity Presbyterian Church in Rye, NY.
Trinity Church begins Sunday afternoon worship services at the Rye Methodist Church.
Trinity Church moves to Sunday Morning worship services in the gymnasium at the School of the Holy Child in Rye, NY.
Trinity Presbyterian Church becomes a self-governing religious organization recognized by the State of New York.
Trinity calls its first associate pastor and first student ministries coordinator.
Trinity attains 3 acres of property in Purchase, NY.
First church office space rented in Rye.
Offices are relocated to 15 Elm Place in downtown Rye.
Trinity attains the adjacent 3.5 acres on Anderson Hill Rd.
Trinity offices are relocated to church property at 526 Anderson Hill Rd.
Trinity receives final approval to build a new worship facility on their church property.
Our Team
We would like to introduce you to our staff! Here is information on our team, their experience, and ways they serve our community at Trinity Church.
Senior Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Craig R. Higgins
Associate Pastor
The Reverend Steven R. Magneson
Rev. Magneson serves Trinity Church as Associate Pastor. He is a graduate of the University of California in Davis (B.S. in mechanical engineering) and the Newbigin House of Studies program of Western Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Before being called into full time ministry, he worked as a licensed professional engineer and volunteered for many years in the church as a youth group assistant, worship leader, small group leader, and in various other roles. His family have been members of Trinity Church since 1999, and Steve served for ten years as an elder. Steve and his wife, Amy, a physician, have three children and live in White Plains.
Pianist, Music Leader
Dr. Tammy Lum
Tammy Lum, pianist, is a critically acclaimed and versatile concert musician, numerous competition winner, founder of the Hudson River Pianofest and tenured professor at Nyack College, NY. She is also a NCTM (National Credited Teacher of Music) with MTNA (Music Teacher National Association). She made her U.S. solo debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1990. Recordings include Ballades and Ballads (2015), Piano Trios: Parker, Rachmaninoff, Chaminade, Liljestrand & Piazzolla with the Amasi Trio (2013), and My Treasure Box (Hugo Productions, Inc. 1999). Education: BM, MM – Eastman School of Music, participated in the Professional Studies Program at The Juilliard School, DMA – Manhattan School of Music. Dr. Lum and her husband, Leo Li, are members of Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Executive Pastor
The Reverend Mark Swanson
Rev. Swanson serves as Trinity Church’s Executive Pastor. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM in 1999) where he planted a church in downtown Dallas as an outreach to spiritually disaffected youth. He then served as an elder at The Village Church in New York City (PCA), while simultaneously working as the Director of Community Ministries as a pastor to the poor and marginalized at All Angels’ Church (ECUSA) for nearly ten years. Before moving to Westchester, he served for ten years at Grace Vancouver Church (PCA) in Canada as the co-pastor and Executive Pastor. Mark grew up in central New Jersey and is also a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. He loves hiking with his dog, Sam, and is an avid Yankees and Vancouver Canucks/ NJ Devils fan. He and Sam now live in Harrison NY and he frequents visiting his family in NJ.
Music Director
Jordan & Alethea Wilhelm
Jordan Wilhelm has his BM in Vocal Performance and Bible minor from Nyack College and an MA in Vocal Performance from Montclair State University. Jordan was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus (2014-2015) and performed in the 2014 Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. Jordan and his wife, Alethea Wilhelm, also perform their original music in an indie-folk duo called Truth & I. They have released a full length album, Floorboards (2013) an EP, A Midwestern Christmas (2015) and a single, Passing the Time (2019). You can learn more about Truth & I at truthandi.com.
Director of Children's Ministry
Chloe Kirckof
Chloe is an experienced educator that has extensive experience leading choral music programs, musical theatre productions, and collegiate vocal instruction in the New York City area. She is the Children’s Ministry Director at Trinity Church, and also serves as an adjunct voice faculty at Nyack college in New York City. Chloe coordinates the children’s Sunday school curriculum, leads the children’s teachers and volunteers, and directs the Children’s Choir, Children’s Ensemble, and Christmas Pageant at Trinity Church.
Business Manager
Lisa Fick
Lisa serves Trinity Church as the business manager. She is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a B.S. (Management Dietetics) but continued her studies in Information Technology. She worked at IBM for over 22 years both as an IBMer and as a contractor in administration, technology and marketing while providing IT support to both IBM and its customers. When it comes to supporting a small business office, all of it comes in handy! Lisa is a native of New York and enjoys capturing the seasonal beauty of this Hudson Valley area on camera. She has been a member for many years and serves on Trinity’s diaconate.
