On Jan. 4, 1884, Rev. Joseph
H. Stone led thirteen charter members in organizing a church.
Land at the northwest corner of Alabama Avenue and Trenton Street was donated
to the church on October 12, 1885 by Robert E. Russ. The white wooden
church held its first revival (by Rev. Fitzgerald S. Parker) in 1886.
The church’s pastor at that time was Rev. Thomas B. White. Since
it was the only church in town, it was also used by the Baptists and Presbyterians
until they built their own churches.
Construction on a new brick
church was built in 1903-04 under the leadership of Rev. Robert H. Wynn.
Part of the sanctuary was partitioned to make room for students from the
Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (Louisiana Tech). Later, in 1936,
Trinity played a role in establishing the Wesley Foundation on the college
campus. Rev. Guy M. Hicks was pastor at that time. Trinity
has also provided assistance to the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home
since it moved to Ruston in 1908.
Plans began in 1931 for the
construction of new facilities at 300 North Vienna Street. Led by
Rev. H.L. Johns, a new education building was completed in 1933 on land
donated by T.L. James. The sanctuary was completed in 1938 and was
dedicated by Bishop A. Frank Smith on April 2, 1939. The following
year, the united conference of the Louisiana Conference was held at the
church.
In the 1950s, Trinity helped
to form the Grace Methodist Church. In 1955, a parsonage was acquired.
In 1958, the Margaret Rainwater Fuller Chapel was built on the north side,
given as a memorial by the family. A children’s wing was later added
and was dedicated on May 26, 1962 by Bishop Aubrey Walton.
In the 1960s, Trinity helped to form the Faith Methodist Church.
At the close of the decade, the Day Care Center was begun.
The last meeting in that church
building was on September 8, 1971. In 1973-74, a new church was built
on land donated by the R.M. Steere family. An activities wing
was constructed in 1977-78. By the late 1990s, programs such as G.R.A.C.E.
and a contemporary worship service were in place and the church began long
range planning.
In 2003, the first phase of
new building for education and office facilities was begun. The new
buildings were consecrated by Bishop William Hutchinson in 2004, and the
church began on the next phase of expansion. |
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