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Trinity C.M.E. Church
Historical Highlights Trinity CME Church In 1840, Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) began as a spiritual landmark on the corner of Eighth and Taylor Streets – a symbol of the divine order of our heavenly father. Trinity is older than the CME branch of Methodism and is the daughter of Saint John United Methodist Church, located on Green Street. With 25 years yet remaining for our forefathers to suffer slavery, the Negro membership of St. John, numbering 323 of 610 members, a majority, and enough with which to begin a church, expressed a desire for a separate place to worship. Permission was granted and approximately 125 members, carrying lighter lamps-symbolic of their bright future, proceeded from St. John to Eighth and Taylor Streets and worshipped under a brush arbor (a shelter or bower formed from vines or brush.) Trinity never deserted its mother church, but stood firmly when the members of St. John transferred property to the Trustees of Trinity for the membership of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. A small church structure, about the size of a barn, was built in 1843 and served as the first symbol of achievement for the new congregation. For the first 13 years of service, St. John, then a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, supplied white pastors, but Trinity wanted one of their own as leader. The members of Trinity put together their meager resources, and Reverend James Harris, a slave preacher from Athens, Georgia and a man of some formal training, freedom was “bought” by the Trinity congregation in 1853 to serve as pastor. The first pastor’s length of service to Trinity is lost the history, but he was followed by Reverend Ned West who served until after the Civil War. We at Trinity have much to be proud of. Three of our former pastors were elected bishops; two served as General Officers; five of the bishops of the CME Church were elected and consecrated in Trinity; and three of the General Conferences were held at Trinity in 1873, 1886, and 1910. The CME Church, started at Trinity, was the first national Black organization established by former slaves. Their political stance was that of non-involvement on the part of the church they would establish. The promotion of racial harmony has always been a cornerstone in the foundation of the church. Trinity is inundated with history. Over the annals of time, the membership has been a powerful force in the community. We have sought to have a prepared ministry and the pulpit has been occupied by thirty-six of the most dedicated scholars and orators - each of whom has left his impact on the church. They have brought spiritual leadership and visions of prosperity to Trinity. Among them are; Reverends Grover C. Jay (deceased), L. R. Neal (deceased), Jerry Poole, Robert L. Jackson, III, Larry Fryer (local community activist), J. Ronzell Maness (Presiding Elder of the Augusta-Sparta District), and Donald Ralph Jordan (present pastor and spirited leader). On April 1, 1998, Trinity and its attorneys met with Atlanta Gas Light Company’s attorneys to sing all paperwork tendering deed to Atlanta Gas Light Company in exchange for the settlement amount in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The Communion and Exodus Service, held on Sunday, August 2, 1998, with Bishop Othal H. Lakey providing the sermon, was the last service held at the Eighth Street location. Da’Henri Ramsey Thurmond, Jr., a three week old infant at that time, whose ancestral roots date to 1924 in Trinity, was the last infant to be baptized at the old church location, “Mother Trinity.” The theme of the closing service, “Trinity: Exodus and Coming Rebirth,” clearly foretold the story of our past and allowed us to look forward to the future. The congregation with the Reverend J. Ronzell Maness as Pastor began holding worship service at Paine College, a local Christian Methodist Episcopal support institution. Reverend J. Ronzell Maness and the congregation then hired an architect to draw the construction plans, and named a land committee to identify parcels of land for the congregation’s consideration for the construction of a new church campus facility. In August 1999, Bishop Othal H. Lakey appointed Reverend J. Ronzell Maness as Presiding Elder of the Augusta-Thomson District, in which Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is assigned; simultaneously, Reverend Donald Ralph Jordan was appointed as the Pastor of Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Pastor Jordan brought healing and restructure. The site at 2930 Glenn Hills Drive was selected and Groundbreaking Ceremony held on October 24, 1999. A Building Committee was appointed, plans drawn and a new Church facility was completed in June, 2001. Trinity continues making historical contributions with new and continued ministries as a light at 2930 Glenn Hills Drive. Licentiates: Rev. Da’Henri R. Thurmond, Sr. (pastor of St. Paul CME, Savannah, GA); first person licensed to preach in the new location, Trinity’s first Lady, Mrs. Doris A. Jordan, licensed to preach November 4, 2004, Ministers Jamiliah Shorter and David Duncan. Ministerial staff member Rev. Larry Edmond, appointed to Woodlawn CME. Laity: Next Level Prayer Ministry, Children, and Youth Recreation, Scouting, Bible Study, Victory Again (Special recovery needs), New members classes and Opportunity, Discipleship, Evangelism, Family Ministry, Marriage Celebration, we operate a non-profit housing project consisting of 100 apartments for low-income families. The housing project, “Trinity Manor” is located on Barton Chapel Road near the new church campus; World Mission, Technology ministry, Office volunteer, Calendar support, Liturgical dancers, Ministry to Men (SOC), Photography, Children and Youth ministry, Kitchen, Stewardship, Teaching, Music ministry and Midweek Worship at 7:00 P.M. At the 2009 Georgia, North, Regional Conference, Dr. Donald R. Jordan was transferred to the Central Georgia Conference and assigned Presiding Elder of the Ft. Valley-Savannah District. Rev. Stephen J. Delaine was assigned pastor of Trinity. Building upon a firm foundation, another chapter has begun. We were blessed to have had him as our shepherd. He has been appointed pastor of College Park CME Church, Atlanta, GA. At the 2011 Georgia North Region Annual Conference, Bishop Kenneth W. Carter appointed Rev. Dr. Jeffery R. Thomas as Trinity's 38th pastor. Dr. Thomas has ambitious goals for the church. Building on the Quadrennial theme, "An Essential Church: Poised for the 21st Century" our history continues. Due to the unexpected death of Rev. Dr. Jeffery R. Thomas in July 2013, Rev. Herman “Skip” Mason was appointed as Trinity’s 39th pastor by Bishop Kenneth W. Carter. Rev. Mason is a welcomed servant of God with a vision of love and prosperity for Trinity CME Church. On July 31, 2019, at the Georgia North Annual Conference, Rev. Tommie L. Benjamin was appointed as the 40th pastor of Trinity C. M. E. Church by Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Presiding Prelate.
Methodist Beliefs Some Methodist beliefs which are important because of their emphasis within the Methodist tradition are: Christian Perfection: Though the Methodists never claimed that a perfect, sinless life was ever attained, they taught that it was attainable. The Methodists taught that every Christian must strive for perfection and should evidence some progress in that direction. Universal Redemption: The universal redemption proclaims that Jesus Christ died for all people and that all people can be saved - not just a select few. It also declares that acceptance by Jesus Christ has nothing to do with one's status in life or with one's position or possessions. Justification by Faith: The belief that one is saved by faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ alone is central to Methodist Doctrine. The service of the Christian life is an expression of one's faith - not the faith. It is because of the grace, the unmerited love of God in Jesus Christ, that men and women are saved - not because of anything they do. The Witness of the Holy Spirit: The inner certainty which each Christian can have that he/she is a child of God as well as the conviction that God is at work in the world and in the life of the believer bringing about His Kingdom gives credence to the witness of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. Falling from Grace: Emphasis upon the real possibility that a Christian can live in such a way that he/she will reject God's grace even though it was once accepted. The Sacraments: Methodists believe that a sacrament is a "visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace" instituted by Jesus Christ. There are two sacraments observed by Methodists: Baptism and The Lord's Supper. (For more detailed information on each, see the heading titled Sacraments.) {Source - http://www.c-m-e.org/core/methodistbeliefs.htm}
