Our Story

The roots of the Trinity congregation date from 1790 when a small group of converts first met in downtown Richmond at the foot of Church Hill to start a Sunday School, marking the founding of organized Methodism in Richmond. The beginnings start even earlier, as Methodists were assigned a pastoral appointment as early as 1784, and began meeting in the Henrico County Courthouse on East Main Street in 1787. In 1799, Richmond became a separate charge and work began on establishing a permanent meeting place. The first church was completed in 1800 at the corner of Franklin and 19th Streets was outgrown by 1825. In 1827, work on the the second church on Franklin Street between 14th and 15th Streets and the name changed to "Trinity" upon completion in 1828. The second church was lost to fire in 1835.
The congregation split into two churches, "Broad Street Methodist Church," and "Trinity Methodist Church," each meeting in separate buildings 10 blocks from each other. New Trinity Church was erected in 1860 at 2000 W Broad Street. It was designed by noted Richmond architect Albert West, who was also a leading Methodist. This building housed Trinity Methodist Church until 1945 when the congregation moved to the current site on Forest Avenue in Henrico County. Broad Street moved to the western Henrico County in 1960 and became "River Road Methodist."

The Forest Avenue site has undergone significant growth. The current brick building started in 1960 and has expanded several times to include an expanded preschool and education wing, office suites, and even a full gymnasium and performance stage.

Today, Trinity is home to many classes, worship services, a preschool, and community organizations. We partner with a multitude of community organizations and missions, including at least three local food banks. We are always looking for more ways to be involved and active in the world around us, and we would love to have you join us with your own passions, abilities, and skills.