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Our History

In 1961 attempts were made and the need was seen by some Christians for the establishment of a new Methodist church in the South Aiken area. A lay movement under the leadership of Reverend C. B. Word, W. A. Cline and others gathered sufficient commitments to help start a new church, thus the officials at the Conference level became convinced of the desirability of establishing one.

The initial meeting of the new church had its humble beginnings on Feb. 5, 1961, in a store building adjacent to Herchel’s Shell Station, some distance south of the present location on Highway 19. Rev. Word conducted the first service and officially became the pastor of the newly organized church, which was the second point on the Bath Circuit.

A piece of property was secured with the help of the Annual Conference, at the corner of Highway 19 and Crestwood Drive, and an issue of one hundred twenty-five bonds amounting to $45,000 was sold. With help from the Conference, District and other interested individuals and churches, the present structure was built. Groundbreaking services were held on June 10, 1962, with Dr. R. Bryce Herbert, the District Superintendent at the time. The first service in the new church as held on Dec. 16, 1962.
The church was originally called the South Aiken Methodist Church, however on June 14, 1962, the name was officially changed to Trinity Methodist Church in order to avoid confusion with other South Aiken churches already in existence. It has since been changed again to Trinity United Methodist Church.

The Reverend Charles Brockwell Jr. became Trinity’s first full-time pastor in June 1962, serving until 1964. In the second year of his ministry the membership roll grew to 122 members.

Trinity’s second full-time pastor was Rev. D. Lamar Gamble who served only one year, 1964 to 1965. At the close of that year the church paid $2,000 of his salary and reported a membership of 133.
In June 1965 Trinity Methodist Church received a new minister, Rev. Louis M. Adams. His ministry was marked with both joy and sadness. On Aug. 16, 1968, the only son of Louis and Lilly Adams was killed in Viet Nam and sadness engulfed the church and its members. Some of our other members passed away as well and in memoriam the following gifts were donated to the church:
• Holy Bible by the Raymond Stewart family
• Flower vases from the family of William Cline
• Christian and American flags from Rev. & Mrs. Adams in memory of their son, Joe
• Baptismal Urn in memory of William & Mary Aston Nelson, by the Simpson family
• Carpeting of the altar area in memory of Frank & Mattie Pinson by the Paul Pinson family

Hymnals were also donated by many individuals in memory of their parents and loved ones, as well as by interested organizations. The Laymen of St. John’s Methodist Church donated the first organ used in our sanctuary. The church continued to increase its payment on Salary, paying $4,500 in 1967.

In 1968 Trinity attempted to pay all expenses without help from the Conference — the full salary and a full load of Conference askings and apportionments. It was a large undertaking and a worthy one. Also under Rev. Adams’ ministry the children’s sermons proved successful and the lay mission inspired many and resulted in an active lay movement. Rev. Adams was minister at Trinity until 1969.

In June of 1969 a young preacher, David Myers, became pastor at Trinity. Under his ministry a total of 30 new members were added to the church roll, including his new son, Jay. Through the dedication of its members, the help of friends and the United Methodist Church, Trinity assumed more and more of its own support. Rev. Myers left Trinity in June 1972.

The Reverend Elbert Lee Johnson became the pastor in June 1972. Trinity tried to continue paying the pastor’s salary and Conference askings and like other churches, had difficulty. When the opportunity presented itself to form a two-point charge with Charles Wesley Church, it was approved unanimously by the Council. Under Rev. Johnson the membership swelled to 186 members.

Rev. John W. Williams became minister of the church in 1974; the charge became known as the Aiken Suburban Ministry. Reverend Williams designated 1976 as “Seed-Faith Year” and also initiated the popular children’s sermon into the worship service again. In 1976 Trinity’s mortgage was paid in full, which brought the church closer to the reality of building a new church.

In 1977 Rev. Sam Harmon became minister of Trinity. The church was enlarged by adding a fellowship hall, kitchen, a Sunday School room and the Pastor’s study. The dossal curtain in the sanctuary was hung, and the altar furniture was added. Rev. Harmon was minister until 1980. Membership grew to 215 members.

Rev. John Culp became the next pastor and served until 1987. During his ministry the United Methodist Women sponsored three Circles. Rev. Culp was also minister when the church decided to take responsibility of a full-time pastor and become a station church. Before Rev. Culp left Trinity, the church made arrangements for the purchase of a new parsonage.

In June of 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 outside. He also worked to rejuvenate the youth. Small Wonders of the World, a preschool and mother’s day out program was begun during the time Rev.Watson was here. The membership grew to 308 and the average Sunday School attendance was 85.

Rev. Harry Workman came to Trinity in June 1993. The Building Committee became very active and on Feb. 9, 1997, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new sancturary. On Dec. 7, 1997, a consecration service was held for the new sanctuary. Taking part in the ceremony were Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey of the S.C. Conference and Rev. Angelin J. Simmons, Orangeburg District Superintendent.

Reverend Rodney K. Powell was welcomed as pastor of Trinity in June 1999. A Youth Minister was hired and our youth program is growing and thriving. The members of Trinity U.M.C. are looking toward the future and beginning to think of further expansion.