A Brief History
P
rior to 1961 the need was seen by some Christians for
the establishment of a new Methodist Church in the
South Aiken area. These attempts and this vision failed
at first to materialize, primarily because officials at the Conference
and District levels were not convinced of the necessity of a new
church. Finally, a lay movement under the able leadership of Rev.
C.B. Word, W.A. Cline, and others gathered sufficient commitments
to help start such a church, and the officials at the Conference level
were finally convinced of the desirability of a new Methodist Church
in the South Aiken area.
The new church had its humble beginnings on February 5,
1961, in a store building adjacent to Herschel’s Shell Station some
distance south of the present location on Highway 19 (Whiskey
Road). Rev. Word conducted the first service and officially became
the pastor of the newly organized church. Forty-five charter members
were received into the church. The first infant baptized at Trinity was
Sherlyn Bowers Chapman in 1961. At that time the church was the
second point on the Bath Circuit.
The church was originally called South Aiken Methodist
Church, but in June 1962 a contest was held to change the name in
order to avoid confusion with other South Aiken churches already in
existence. Maude Pinson suggested Trinity Methodist Church. It has
since been changed to Trinity United Methodist Church.
Rev. Charles Brockwell, Jr. was the first full-time pastor and
served for two years, from June 1962 to June 1964. In the second
year of his ministry, the membership grew to 122. Property at the
corner of Whiskey Road and Crestwood Drive was secured with the
help of the Annual Conference. An issue of 125 bonds amounting to
$45,000 was sold, and with additional help from the South Carolina
Methodist Conference, the original structure was built. A
groundbreaking service was held on June 10, 1962, and the first
service in the new church was held on December 16, 1962.
The second full-time pastor was Rev. D. Lamar Gamble, who
served only one year, 1964-1965. At the close of 1965, the church
paid $2,000 of his salary and reported a membership of 133.
In June 1965, Rev. Louis Adams became the pastor. His
ministry was marked with both joy and sadness. In 1968 the only son
of Louis and Lilly Adams was killed in Vietnam. The Christian and
American flags in the sanctuary were a memorial gift from Rev. and
Mrs. Adams. In memory of other members who had passed away,
Trinity received gifts to help furnish the church:
Holy Bible by the Raymond Stewart family
Baptismal urn by the Simpson family
Carpeting of the altar area by the Pinson family
Flower vases by the Cline family
Hymnals were given in memory of loved ones by many individuals,
and the Laymen of St. John’s Methodist Church donated the first
organ used in the sanctuary. In June 1968 Trinity attempted to pay all
expenses without help from the Conference—the full salary and a full
load of Conference askings and apportionments. Under Rev. Adams’
ministry the children’s sermons proved successful and a lay mission
that inspired many resulted in an active lay movement.
In June 1969 a young preacher, Rev. David Myers, became
pastor, and under his ministry 30 new members were added to the
roll. Through the dedication of its members, help of friends and the
United Methodist Church, Trinity assumed more and more of its own
support.
Rev. Elbert Lee Johnson became pastor in June 1972, and
before he left in 1974, the membership had swelled to 186. The
growing church struggled valiantly to pay Conference askings and the
pastor’s full salary, and like other churches at that time, encountered
difficulty. It became necessary, finally, to merge with Charles
Wesley Methodist Church, which proved of benefit to both.
From June 1974 until June 1977, Rev. John Williams was
pastor of Trinity and Charles Wesley. Rev. Williams re-introduced
the children’s sermon. It was during his stay at Trinity that the
mortgage was paid in full, bringing closer the reality of building a
new sanctuary.
In 1977 Rev. Sam Harmon became pastor. The church was
enlarged by adding a fellowship hall, kitchen, Sunday school room
and a pastor’s study. The dossal curtain in the sanctuary was hung,
and the altar furniture was added. The wedding reception of Donnie
and Tammie Bates was the first to be held in the new fellowship hall.
The membership grew to 216.
Rev. John Culp became the next pastor in 1980 and served
until 1987. During his ministry, the United Methodist Women
sponsored three circles. The church decided to take responsibility for
a full-time pastor and become a station church. Before Rev. Culp left
Trinity, the church made arrangements to purchase a parsonage.
In June 1987 Rev. Austin Watson and his family became the
first residents of the newly acquired parsonage. Rev. Watson set
about improving the appearance of the church both inside and out. He
worked to rejuvenate the youth ministry, and a preschool, including a
mother’s day out program, was begun. The membership grew to 308,
and Sunday School attendance was 85.
Rev. Harry Workman came to Trinity in June 1993. A
building committee became active, and on February 9, 1997, a
groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new sanctuary, with the
consecration service held on December 7, 1997.
In June 1999 Rev. Rodney K. Powell became pastor. In
January 2000 Rev. Alan Woodward was hired as Director of
Children’s and Youth Ministry. Donnie Bates followed Rev.
Woodward in this capacity. In 2003 Trinity started a church council
form of government. A building program resulted in a new addition,
including youth activity space, classrooms, choir room and
administration offices, which was consecrated for use on April 17,
2005. In 2006 Rev. Powell went on sabbatical to Israel. Also in 2006
an important new ministry for older adults – the Eagles – was
established by Rev. Jay Pifer, offering monthly luncheons and
occasional bus trips to places of interest, as well as opportunities to
serve the church and the community. Rev. Donnie Bates was
ordained in 2008 and became the Associate Pastor, continuing to lead
the Youth Ministry. Ann Bishop, Trinity’s first paid secretary, retired
in 2008, after serving for 34 years.
Currently, Trinity’s membership is 489, Sunday School
attendance averages 99, worship attendance averages 234, and the
budget for 2011 is $425,491.26.
To God Be the Glory!