Mindful of the constant danger of fire to frame buildings, the Trinity Vestry decided to build in stone and of Gothic design.

The materials required were listed as follows in an advertisement of the day: "2,000 tons of rough masonry, 700 tons of freestone, 400 hogsheads of lime, 30,000 bricks well burned, 200,000 feet lumber of various scanting".

The stone was brought from England as ballast on returning cargo ships. The church bears a strong resemblance to many parish churches in England built toward the end of the 12th Century.

Located north of Union Street, the church escaped the Saint John Great Fire of 1877, which destroyed more than half the city.

Because of its square tower and Gothic style, the church, built on a hill, has been for over 150 years a landmark in the skyline of the city from every direction of approach.

The Stone Church today