Charles City’s Trinity United Methodist Church to celebrate 50-year anniversary Sunday

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Trinity United Methodist Church is preparing for a landmark event this week as the congregation and community will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the church’s creation.

Dedicated in 1972, Trinity United Methodist was formed in the aftermath of the 1968 tornado that devastated Charles City.

Both Central United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church were destroyed in the disaster, leaving their respective congregations without a place to worship. When it came time to rebuild, the two congregations decided to come together and build one new church for both of them.

The new church, a one story building spread out across a block and a half of property, has thrived over the last five decades. It is not only host to weekly church services, but has facilitated a long tradition of music programs and houses Central Preschool, which has become the longest operating licensed preschool in the state.

“The church has been, and will continue to be, a major institution in the area,” said the Rev. Tom Barnard, who just recently came on as the pastor at Trinity United Methodist.

Barnard started at Trinity United Methodist on July 1 and plans to be in Charles City for three or four years as a “church builder,” shoring up the congregation and establishing services that meet the needs of the community. He says he is honored to be the one to spearhead the celebration as the church turns 50 years old.

“I am very blessed to be part of this whole situation, but especially blessed to hear all of the stories that they have over the last 50 years,” said Barnard.

The celebration will take place on Sunday, Oct. 9, beginning with a 9 a.m. breakfast, followed by a special worship service conducted by former pastors. After the worship service there will be a potluck dinner where other former pastors will be guest speakers, sharing stories and memories about their time with the church over the last five decades.

The whole community is invited to join in the celebration as the church recollects its history and recognizes the many people that have kept it going over the years.

“There’s a lot of people that were here when the churches first came together,” said Barnard. “It should be a lot of fun.”