Trinity UMC to mark 159th Anniversary

The celebration begins on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, with “Celebrating the Artwork of Young Artists in the Orangeburg Community,” a special exhibit featuring 23 area student artists from local schools including Bethune-Bowman High School; Branchville High School; Carver-Edisto Middle School; Lake Marion High School; North Middle High School; Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School; Robert E. Howard Middle School; and William J. Clark Middle School. This exhibit will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Watson Fellowship Hall at the church located at 185 Boulevard St., Orangeburg. This is an opportunity to highlight and support the talents of local students.

On Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, worship services will feature Bishop Leonard E. Fairley as speaker with the message “Power to Remember, Freedom to Forget.” Fairley is the Resident Bishop of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, having been appointed Sept. 1, 2024. He previously served as resident bishop of the Kentucky Annual Conference and Red Bird (now Central Appalachia) Missionary Conference from 2016-2024, and as interim bishop for the North Carolina Annual Conference from Sept. 1, 2021 to Jan. 1, 2023. Bishop Fairley graduated from Pfeiffer College and Duke University’s School of Divinity. He has been awarded honorary degrees from Union College in Columbia, Kentucky and Kentucky Wesleyan College. Before his election as bishop, he served in numerous roles in the UMC. He has served on numerous boards and agencies, and he has participated in various mission work teams including Costa Rica, Jamaica, Montserrat, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Honduras, and Serbia with the Appalachia Service Project. He is also a published author. The January 19th worship service will also include other special guests and special tributes reflecting on Trinity’s rich history, commitment to community, and creating disciples of Christ. Service will take place at the church located at 185 Boulevard St. at 10 a.m. A fellowship luncheon will take place immediately following service.

Trinity United Methodist Church was founded in 1866 as Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. It has been a key part of the Orangeburg community and known for its commitment to social justice and outreach for over 150 years. During and prior to the Civil Rights Movement, it served as a gathering place for meetings and rallies led by prominent civil rights warriors such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, and Thurgood Marshall. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 in recognition of its historical and cultural significance.

Its members remain actively involved in the community. The church offers a variety of programs and services, including worship services, religious education, and social services. The church also hosts community events throughout the year. Trinity United Methodist Church is committed to its mission in Sharing God’s Word; Leading God’s People; and Transforming Lives. The Rev. Dr. Eddie C. Williams is the Pastor.

For more information, please call 803-534-7759 or visit https://www.trinityumc-orangeburgsc.com