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| Trinity Presbyterian Church was organized by the Enoree (now Foothills)
Presbytery on February 26, 1933 in the Renfrew Community on the north edge of Travelers Rest. Trinity shared a Community Church Building with
Methodist and Baptist congregations, each denomination having their service
every third Sunday. A series of Supply Pastors served the Church in its early years. These included Dr. C. T. Squires, David Seabrook, Rev. Joseph Beal, and others. The first resident minister was Rev. Francis Womack, who served from 1954 to 1959. In 1959, a 6 acre tract was purchased at the current location of the Church. Ground for the building was broken on January 11, 1959, and the first service was held in the new Sanctuary in August 1959. The Rev. C. H. Brown was the first minister in the new Church, serving from 1959 to 1962 A manse was completed in May 1962. It was first occupied by Dr. Patrick D. Miller, who served the Church from 1962 to 1965. In 1963, a donation was made to begin the Church Library. During Dr. Miller's tenure, membership grew to 140. Rev. H. R. Patterson served from 1966 to 1971, and Rev. Ewell C. Black from 1972 to 1977. 5 acres of adjoining land was purchased in 1972, increasing the size of the church property to 11 acres of beautiful wooded land in a choice residential area. Rev. Harry Topham served from 1977 to 1984. The Christian Education Building was constructed in 1978, and the Sanctuary was renovated in 1981. Rev. Ron Shive served from 1985 to 1993. In December 1986, Trinity welcomed Congregate Dining. This group of Senior Citizens used the Fellowship Hall to provide daily lunch and other activities for its members. Beginning in 1988, the manse was used for youth Sunday School classes. The manse, with 1.5 acres of land, was sold in 1994. The current Sanctuary was constructed in 1991, and the original Sanctuary was converted to the Fellowship Hall. A Bell Tower, containing computer-controlled hourly chimes, was dedicated in 1992. During the tenure of Rev. Shive, membership grew to 290, and Trinity became the fastest growing Church in the Foothills Presbytery. Dr. Roger Rabey served from 1993 to August 1999. The Thorpe Education Building, containing rooms for adult education and the modern Church Office suite, was completed in 1998. The Rev. Bob Lawrence, esteemed Pastor Emeritus of Fourth Presbyterian Church – Greenville, served as Interim Pastor from September 1999 through September 2000. In 2000, after 14 years at Trinity, the Congregate Dining group grew too large for the Trinity kitchen and had to move to another location. Dr. Pamela Patrick Cole began serving as the Pastor of Trinity in December 2000. She quickly infused Trinity with a new vibrancy because of her outstanding ministry, passionate preaching of the Word, and genuine love of people. Tami Wall began serving Trinity in March 2001 as its first full–time Director of Christian Education. Gabriel Fluhrer began serving Trinity as Youth Director in June 2002, prior to beginning seminary in September 2004. The Youth Building was completed in September 2002. The Rev. Robert (Bob) H. Jones joined Trinity as Parish Associate in January 2003. Regrettably, health problems forced Dr. Cole to resign from the ministry, effective 30 April 2003. During the tenure of Dr. Cole, membership grew to 430 as a new spirit infused Trinity. Rev. Jones was appointed Interim Pastor, effective 1 May 2003. |
