Our History

This article was written by Allen Clayton from WBOY in West Virginia on October 27, 2024. 

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) — Trinity United Methodist Church near downtown Fairmont was founded in 1869, and Sunday afternoon celebrated 155 years of its history with a dinner and a second worship service.

The dinner allowed the congregation to reminisce about the Church’s history and fellowship with one another, and during the afternoon church service, the congregation celebrated lifelong member Charlotte Meade for her service to the church as their music director, chair of the administrative board and pianist.

Brad Bennett, the Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, reflected on how far the church has come over the years.

“This is where African Americans first could gather and have their own church,” Bennett said. “They could make the decisions for the church and in 1869 that was unheard of. And so, blacks could come here and be their own people. And so, we stand on that legacy not only for African Americans but also for all people.”

Minister Christine Taylor, from the Baltimore-Washington Conference, lead the church in delivering the sermon for the afternoon service. Pastor Bennet said that Minister Taylor is a child of the church’s congregation and that her father Reverand Paul Taylor and her mother Loretta Taylor were deep within the ministry within the church. He said Taylor’s message is centered around hope.

“This church has been, has a deep spiritual legacy of serving this community, and serving the people in this community, and serving their needs, hopes, and wants. It’s a wonderful place of worship.”

Pastor Bennett added that the church has had a faithful congregation throughout its 155 years.