Located on the corner of Second Avenue and 8th Street, Trinity Church has been a landmark in Opelika for over a century. Steeped in history, Trinity began early in 1902 when the First Methodist Church of Opelika formed a Sunday school in the northeast section. Trinity has grown from a mission of 98 people, under the charge of Rev. W.B. Parrent, to its current membership of over 1,000.

On Dec. 12, 1905, J.H. Holloway was appointed pastor to succeed W.B. Parrent. During Rev. Holloway’s first year of ministry, a proposal was considered for a new church building in a more accessible location. The current location of 8th Street and Second Avenue was chosen. The newly acquired home was moved to the northeast end of the lot and remodeled for temporary use as a house of worship. The first service was held on a Sunday in late 1906, when the church had added 75 members. On Nov. 9, 1906, this group selected “Trinity” as the name for their new congregation.

After 4 years of conducting services in the house on 8th and 2nd, the membership of Trinity had nearly doubled and the need was felt for a permanent edifice. Rev. O.V. Calhoun, who came in 1907, was instrumental in the planning and building of the new sanctuary. The original building plans called for an outlay of $25,000. With enthusiasm, the membership formulated a budget of $75,000. Dr. D. M. Banks, chairman of the building committee, officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony. He shoveled the first spade of dirt in placing the foundation in 1907.

No church in the history of the Alabama conference had ever financed its building with as little difficulty as Trinity. The members responded with gifts of money, time and talents. Superior materials were used throughout the structure. Tom Plant, a master craftsman who supervised the workers, finished the beautiful oak flooring by hand. J.E. (Buck) Rice, then a teenager, helped carry brick and mortar to the masons. E.E. Hudson was the contractor.

The first service held in the new structure, was in June of 1909; the official dedication of the sanctuary occurred on December 4, 1910. This sanctuary is the same one we worship in today.

The pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary In November of 1909; an electric organ console was added in 1951. The Carillon Tower Bells and the marble baptismal font were dedicated in 1947. A major building and renovation program began in August of 1955, which added a two-story educational wing, (now known as the children’s building), attached to the church by a chapel, forming a courtyard. Plans called for the renovation of the existing facilities, including the Fellowship Hall, a new kitchen and a new lighting system for the sanctuary.

In 1983-86, elaborate plans were made, with the help of Rev. Jerry Dooling and Earl Ballard, to construct a separate building to house the church office and classrooms. This facility would also include a large Fellowship Hall, that would convert to a basketball court, and also house an adjoining kitchen facility. Ground breaking for the Trinity Christian Life Center took place September 27, 1987, and on January 25, 1989, the consecration of the new building was held.

On May 7, 2023 Trinity Church officially disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church, and joined the Global Methodist Church.On Sunday mornings, sunshine streams in the brilliant, colored, stained glass windows in the sanctuary at Trinity and bathes the antique carved woods with warmth, providing a beautiful setting for worship. While the church is a rich heritage, it has forged into the 21st century offering a wide variety of programs for all ages as it reaches out to the community with compassion and a mission to share the Gospel. Today, the Trinity family looks forward to what God has planned for this church that He planted in 1902. We know the best is yet to come.

Trinity has A Great Heritage, and,
A Greater Future!