Trinity United Methodist has been a part of Montpelier for a very long time. Here are a few highlights from our story:
- In 1796 the first Methodist preacher was sent to Vermont, authorized at the Methodist Episcopal Church Conference held at Thompson, CT. The appointment of Nicholas Snethen to the “Vershire Circuit” was an entirely new field for Methodistic preaching.
- In 1804 Montpelier became a part of the new “Barre Circuit” with only six or eight residents of Montpelier.
- In 1813 the society slowly grew to 25 members.
- In 1820 the first quarterly conference was held in Montpelier. This meeting convened in a grove at “Montpelier Center”.
- In 1826 the Methodists built their first meeting house in town, at the “Center”. (Note: This building is still there.)
- In 1828 Montpelier was made a station. The first Methodist Church building in Montpelier village was built on the Northerly side of the road leading to the State House. (Note: This building is gone and the site is now occupied by the Hillside block on Court Street).
- In 1838 the first quarterly meeting was held in the church at Montpelier Village. 99 names were upon its roll of membership.
- In 1874 a new church of the Methodist Episcopal Society, known as “Trinity” was built and dedicated. The edifice is located on the Eastern side of Main Street. (Note: The site is next to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library today.)
- In 1942, after nearly 68 years from the date it was built, the newly decorated and reconstructed sanctuary of Trinity Methodist Church was reopened with a special service of worship.
- In 1968, with the merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren, Trinity became part of the United Methodist Church.
- Like most of Montpelier, the Trinity building experienced damage with the floods of July 2023. Trinity is still in the process of recovery and determining the best future for our historic building.