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.