In the fall of 1888, Rev. P.A.
Drown arrived from the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
to organize a church. The roll of the church as it was organized
in December 1888 lists 19 members. Work soon began on the church,
which was completed the following year (1889). That church burned
down in 1893 but was immediately rebuilt. The (Gulf) Annual Conference
for the north branch of Methodism met often in Jennings (one of the largest
congregations in the Conference).
In the mid 1940s, plans began
to construct new facilities. The old church was sold. Services
were held at the Masonic Hall while the education building was built
The education building was completed at the end of the decade and fundraising
plans began for a new sanctuary. On October 2, 1955, the first service
was held in the new sanctuary. Rev. Crichlow and Bishop Paul E. Martin
led the service. The dedication service led by Rev. William F. Mayo
and Bishop Aubrey G. Walton was later held on February 14, 1965.
In 1958-59, the old parsonage
was torn down and a new brick home constructed.
By the mid 1970s, the church
was outgrowing its walls again. The facilities were renovated in
1978.
On May 31, 1998, the Trinity
United Methodist Church merged with the Jennings congregation. Trinity
was founded by Rev. E.J. Church in 1897 as a United Brethren Church.
The first church, made of wood with a unique covered entrance and bell
tower, was built in 1902. Classrooms were added in 1926 and
1951.
A new church and classrooms
were built in 1962. The dedication service for the sanctuary, chapel,
and classrooms was held on December 17, 1962. The church became the
Trinity United Methodist Church after the 1968 merger. Since both
churches were now the same denomination and only three blocks apart, the
congregations merged their resources to become one. |
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