The History of Trinity United Methodist Church
During 2007, Trinity United Methodist Church celebrated the 175th anniversary of its founding.
Once each quarter a former or affiliated pastor was invited to preach, beginning with the Rev. Dr. William K. Quick on Sunday, February 25, Rev. Russ Richey at a Camp Meeting on June 17, and Rev. Grey Southern on August 12. On April 22, Rev. Alfred W. Gwinn, Jr., Bishop of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, preached at the service celebrating the 175th Anniversary. We celebrated Homecoming on October 28 when former pastor Rev. F. Belton Joyner preached.
A congregation grew from an 1830 revival at a place called Orange Grove and record reads that on the 25 of April, 1832 one William R. Herndon donated a house and an acre of ground to the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be used as a house of worship and an academy. The Methodist church organized with some thirty members. For many years a very small building served as both church and school. In 1861 the congregation moved in to the little hamlet of Durham and established the first Methodist church. It was in 1861 that an acre and a half of land, the present site of Trinity Church, was purchased and a frame building erected there on.
The little pine church seated two hundred people. During the Civil War the building was used as a temporary hospital for wounded soldiers. In spite of all difficulties, the church continued its services. Known originally as Orange Grove Church, its name was changed to Durham Methodist Church in 1866. For more information about Trinity's early history, 1832-1875.
A movement for the erection of a new church house began about 1879 and resulted in the dedication of a new brick structure in June 1881. In 1886 the church's name was changed to Trinity.
On January 21, 1923, fire destroyed the brick church. The entire plant was lost and 1,000 people were without a church home. The congregation held regular services in local buildings while making plans for a new church. The cornerstone of a new church was laid on October 2, 1924. For more information about Trinity's early history, 1876 - 1920.
The new plant included a stone church and brick education building. The opening service was held on September 20, 1925. In April 1982 the church celebrated the one hundred-fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of Trinity United Methodist Church. For more information about Trinity's history, 1921 - 1965.
The Henrietta Shaw Glenn steeple was added to the church tower March 8, 1985. In 2002, Trinity celebrated its 170th birthday as the Mother Church of Methodism in the heart of downtown Durham. For more information about Trinity's history, 1966 - 2007.
