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Trinity United Methodist Church (Ruston, La.) records

 Collection
Identifier: LACUMC-2023-072

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the activities of Trinity United Methodist Church (Ruston, La.). It includes membership records, committee records, and printed items.

The membership records include membership books, membership cards, transfers, baptism records, and correspondence. Box 1 Folders 3-8 appear to consist of multiple membership books that have been disassembled and separated by subject.

The committee records include Administrative Council records and committee records.

The printed items consist of material from this congregation's Methodist Youth Fellowship, directories, and a church history.

Dates

  • 1888 - 2023

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Physical rights are retained by the Centenary College of Louisiana Archives and Special Collections. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Biographical / Historical

Trinity United Methodist Church was located at 1000 Woodward Avenue, Ruston, Louisiana.

On January 4, 1884, Rev. Joseph H. Stone led thirteen charter members in organizing a church. Land at the northwest corner of Alabama Avenue and Trenton Street was donated to the church on October 12, 1885, by Robert E. Russ. The white wooden church held its first revival (by Rev. Fitzgerald S. Parker) in 1886. The church’s pastor at that time was Rev. Thomas B. White. Since it was the only church in town, it was also used by the Baptists and Presbyterians until they built their own churches.

Construction on a new brick church was built in 1903-04 under the leadership of Rev. Robert H. Wynn. Part of the sanctuary was partitioned to make room for students from the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (Louisiana Tech). Later, in 1936, Trinity played a role in establishing the Wesley Foundation on the college campus. Rev. Guy M. Hicks was pastor at that time. Trinity has also provided assistance to the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home since it moved to Ruston in 1908.

Plans began in 1931 for the construction of new facilities at 300 North Vienna Street. Led by Rev. H. L. Johns, a new education building was completed in 1933 on land donated by T. L. James. The sanctuary was completed in 1938 and was dedicated by Bishop A. Frank Smith on April 2, 1939. The following year, the united conference of the Louisiana Conference was held at the church.

In the 1950s, Trinity helped to form the Grace Methodist Church. In 1955, a parsonage was acquired. In 1958, the Margaret Rainwater Fuller Chapel was built on the north side, given as a memorial by the family. A children’s wing was later added and was dedicated on May 26, 1962, by Bishop Aubrey Walton. In the 1960s, Trinity helped to form the Faith Methodist Church. At the close of the decade, the Day Care Center began.

The last meeting in that church building was on September 8, 1971. In 1973-74, a new church was built on land donated by the R. M. Steere family. An activities wing was constructed in 1977-78. By the late 1990s, programs such as G.R.A.C.E. and a contemporary worship service were in place, and the church began long range planning.

In 2003, the first phase of new building for education and office facilities was begun. The new buildings were consecrated by Bishop William Hutchinson in 2004, and the church began on the next phase of expansion.

Trinity United Methodist Church disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church in May 2023.

Source: Timothy Hebert, “The Historical Register of the Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church,” (Louisiana: Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, 2004), page MO-82.

Extent

5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred by Katie Wilson (Shreveport District administrative assistant) in June 2023.

Title
Finding Aid to Trinity United Methodist Church (Ruston, La.) records
Author
Beth Vogler and Chris Brown
Date
2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Centenary College of Louisiana Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
2911 Centenary Blvd.
Shreveport LA 71104 US
(318) 869-5462