Trinity United Methodist Church Providence RI

Trinity United Methodist Church welcomes Christians and those who seek to connect to Christianity in the Providence area.

We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey.

We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God.

Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in Providence, Rhode Island by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds.

Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, beliefs, or background. Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.

 

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https://www.neumc.org/churchdetail/555747  

 

 

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THE HISTORY OF TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN RHODE ISLAND

On December 17, 1858, a Doctor G.S. Stevens first proposed to the Official Board of Mathewson Street Church, that a Methodist mission be established in Lester Hall on Cranston Street in Providence. Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, as it was initially named, was organized in April 1859 with 35 members, according to official archives housed at Boston University. The Rev. William McDonald served as Trinity's first pastor. According to early records, he was sent to the new church from the New England Conference, "greatly against his wishes," or as one document put it: "transfered to Providence and stationed on the Commons, to dig or die."

In July 1859, Dr. G.S. Stevens, Thomas J. Gardiner and William F. Lawton were appointed to serve on a building committee, "to build or procure a house of worship." The main sancturary building was dedicated on May 31st, 1865.

The church merged with Chestnut Street Church in 1898 and was re-named Trinity Union Methodist Episcopal Church. Dexter N. Knight, then a prominent citizen of Providence, was instrumental in organizing the merger. Mr. Knight became the head of the combined Sunday Schools, numbering more than 400 persons.

An educational wing was constructed in 1914 that housed an auditorium. This space was to become the original home of Providence's now-famous Trinity (Square) Repertory Company, which got its start and its name there in February 1964. Under the artistic direction of Adrian Hall, the company became quite well known and in 1974, moved to its new, larger home in the former Majestic Theater in downtown Providence.

In 1939, the church's name was changed for the third time to Trinity Union Methodist Church, and again for a fourth time in 1968, becoming Trinity United Methodist Church, which it is known by today. During the 1970's and 1980's, the church underwent many transitions as the demographics of the Southside changed. One notable leader during this period was Rev. Emil John, an assistant pastor, who was employed as a sports writer for the Providence Journal. Under Rev. John's leadership, the church developed many new outreach and ministry programs. At one time, Trinity sported 6 baseball teams in different leagues that competed statewide.

Most recently, Trinity's clerical leaders have included the Rev. Anne Grant, the Rev. Althea Jackson, Rev. Emmett W. Goodridge, and the current pastor, the Rev. Dr. Henry Kunwun Gbassagee James. Today, Trinity serves a very racially, ethnically and economically diverse community. It's congregation consists mainly of Southside residents who have immigrated to the USA from West Africa.

Despite facing various challenges that are common to many older urban churches, Trinity United Methodist continues to serve the surrounding community. Trinity's large, very energy-inefficient church facilities were constructed in an era when oil and gas were abundant and cheap. In today's economy, it is very difficul to heat and maintain these structures, particularly in neighborhoods that lack the economic and political advantages of previous generations of parishioners. Yet, new leadership is emerging, and history is still in the making.

The following statement, written about Trinity in the late 1860's, is as true now as it was then: "It has been one of the most earnest, laborious and successful churches ever established in the City of Providence. May it long continue to proclaim a free salvation, and gather in from the lanes and highways of the city the neglected and unsaved, and in eternity may it be known that many were born for glory here."