Our History
On April 11, 2021, we celebrated Trinity UMC’s State Historical Marker, which stands at the entrance to the church; among other important historical achievevents, the marker is in recognition of the first session of the newly formed Florida Conference meeting held at our Trinity site in 1845.
This year (2024) is our Bicentennial year. To learn more about the activities and events that mark this observance, please go to the webpage here.
Our History
Trinity has a long and distinguished heritage of faithful ministry in downtown Tallahassee, Florida. What began as a missionary outpost to the new town of Tallahassee in 1824 is now a vibrant congregation that worships together, shares life in faith, and serves our community and beyond.
Circuit-riding Methodist missionaries rode on horseback from South Carolina through the swamps and backwoods of Georgia to arrive in the Big Bend area of the Territory of Florida soon after the first settlers came in the early 1820s. The circuit riders had been sent by the South Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church’s Board of Missions to meet the spiritual needs of the wagonloads of men, women, and children who came to the Tallahassee settlement, seeking a land of new opportunities. In 1824, the mission became Trinity United Methodist Church. The congregation first met in a small wooden building on what is now the corner of West Park Avenue and Bronough Street, and in 1840, built a larger sanctuary on the present location of Park Avenue and Duval Street.
Built in 1840, this white stucco building replaced the plain wooden structure of 1825.
In 1893, a red brick semi-gothic sanctuary replaced the original sanctuary in which the Methodists had worshiped since 1840. It served the congregation until 1962 and was replaced by the current church complex in 1964. Trinity’s present place of worship, the third on the corner of Park Avenue and Duval Street, was completed in May 1964. The church includes a sanctuary, chapel, fellowship hall, classrooms, parlor, library, and offices. Its magnificent steeple holds high the cross and beckons all to come worship and serve God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Historical Society
The Historical Society is responsible for showing and telling the history of Trinity through the publication of its quarterly newsletter Crossroads, displays of documents and artifacts, and sponsorship of presentations and meetings.
The Historical Society is open to anyone who is interested in or wishes to be involved with church history.
Committee for the Preservation of Church History
The CPCH is a ministry of the Church Council with members appointed by the Council and with other individuals who serve as associate members. The CPCH is responsible for researching and preserving the many documents, journals, reports, photographs, recordings, and other material relevant to our church history.
