Trinity Lutheran Church, Greenville, SC

When the nine charter members met to organize Trinity Lutheran Church on September 12, 1909, they had no idea that ninety years later this new congregation would have 1,250 members and have facilities that span half of a city block. With the Spirit's guidance, Trinity Church today not only plays an important role in the religious life of Greenville, it also is a leading congregation of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

As shown by the fact that a Sunday School was begun two weeks after the congregation was organized, education has been an important part of this congregation's ministry from the very beginning. It was also important for that young church to build a facility for worship. The lot on which the Main Church now stands was purchased in 1911 and excavation for construction began in 1913. Due to a lack of funds, construction took place for a number of years. A major change in the interior appearance of the Main Church took place in 1948, when a New York City artist decorated it in much the same fashion as it stands today. In 1953 the Pence Memorial Building, which serves as an educational facility, was added. An Activities Building was constructed in 1971. In 1980 a Steiner mechanical action organ was installed during a major renovation. A renovation of the education facilities was complete in 1988. The last building project was a major expansion and renovation of the Activities Building, which was completed in 1997.

In 1912 Trinity Lutheran Church issued a call to its first full-time pastor. During the congregation's ninety-year history, only nine pastors have served under call. As the congregation has grown, so has the size of the staff. Today there are eleven members of the church staff.

Through the years, congregation has placed a high priority on ministry to the community. In addition to providing funding for a number of community agencies that help people who are hurting, a large number of members of Trinity Church serve as volunteers at the Free Medical Clinic, the Greenville Literacy Association, Meals on Wheels and United Ministries. In 1997 the Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation began making grants for outreach in the community and to support institutions and agencies of the South Carolina Synod of the ELCA. Trinity Church has sponsored a ministry to the students at Furman University for several decades. During 2001, Trinity Church along with other area congregations banded together to form the Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, which provides a ministry to homeless families.

Throughout its history, Trinity Lutheran Church has been blessed with a multitude of dedicated and faithful members who have been deeply committed to Christian witness and service.