Led by Rev. George W. Harbuck,
a group of Methodists gathered at the home of Thomas and Corrine Biggers
in early 1945 to organize a church. The initial group consisted of
40 charter members. They were assisted by First Methodist, who donated
a lot at 204 Chester Street. With the financial help of lumbermen
W.D. Wadley and W.T. Murray, an abandoned 100 year-old frame church was
bought on Bayou Rapides Road. Renovations on the old building were
soon completed and the first service was held in the building on June 10,
1945.
The adjoining lot was later
purchased to increase the property to 150x150. In 1948 a chapel
from Camp Livingston was purchased for $18,000. The building was
renovated and brick veneered in time for the first service in the new sanctuary
on August 15, 1948. It was later dedicated under the leadership of
Rev. Mayo on May 16, 1954. Membership at that time stood at 571.
A two-story education building was built that same year at a cost of $50,000.
A new fellowship hall complex
was built in the 1960s. It was consecrated on April 28, 1968 under
Rev. Moreland, with the dedication held by Rev. Miller on March 20, 1977.
An extensive history of the church was published in three volumes in 1976,
1984, and 1990.
In the 1990s, the Chester Street
property was sold and a new fellowship building was constructed on Bayou
Rapides Road. Rev. Jarrell Morgan led the congregation in their first
service at the new location on August 2, 1996.
Source: Trinity History 1945-1999, Mary B. Dance |
