June 28 is a red letter date at Trinity Free Will Baptist Church. On June 27, 2004 we
celebrated. Forty years of memories was the big event. Rev. Ed Cook recognized it as being a
milestone that we needed to mark. Rev. Al Davis, a former pastor, was chosen to speak at the
morning worship service. He recalled the significance of the number forty in the Bible. Namely
the forty years that Moses spent on the back side of the desert. Also the forty years of leading the
children of Israel through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. Noah and his family were
forty days and nights in the ark. We here at Trinity have our own forty. Our first offering taken
in Dennis Jones’ hat was exactly forty dollars, and now forty years.

In late 1963 and early 1964 Trinity Church had its actual beginning. The first several
meetings were held with J.T. and Augusta Worthington at their home. We also met with various
members at their homes. Mostly we met for fellowship and prayer. It was an exciting time.
However, we very soon realized that we were directed by the Lord to start a new work in His
name. Rev. Robert Crawford was consulted and he advised to seek direction both spiritual and
legal from Rev. L.R. Ennis. Heber Adams had been selected as moderator. At a meeting at Mrs.
Fannie Clark’s home J.T. and Augusta, Edna Jones and Fannie Clark were designated to visit
Rev. Ennis in Goldsboro for that direction. They returned very excited. He had given them a
pledge to recite and promised to visit the group for the next meeting. That meeting was a very
positive one. He suggested that we become the Free Will Baptist Mission of Greenville. We were
now moving in a plus direction with positive goals.

We acquired the use of Clarks Funeral Chapel for our Thursday night prayer services.
Rev. Crawford suggested that we invite the local Free Will Baptist Ministers to bring our
devotions. We appreciated their assistance. They aided us greatly.

Rev. Crawford became our pastor in late June and our first Sunday worship service was
set for June 28, 1964 . Mark Case became the Sunday school superintendent. He had the teachers
and other workers assigned and everything in place. Augusta Worthington was CTS Director.
Garland Buck was treasurer. Mable Ann Worthington had already served as our secretary. She
and Jimmy Taylor accepted the job of playing the musical instruments. Tom Mercer was our
Choir Director. The nursery was equipped and ready. We had several babies in attendance. We
had obtained the use of a house nearby, 109 Pennsylvania Ave. , for our Sunday school and other
activities.

It was a wonderful day, a very real mountain top experience. We were blessed with 166
in the morning worship, 147 in Sunday school and 40 in CTS (that number 40 again). The next
night at a called meeting the Women’s Auxiliary was organized. Margie Case was selected as
president.

In March, 1966 the name was officially changed to Trinity Free Will Baptist Church.
Being a full fledged church, the need was felt to incorporate. Heber Adams became president of
the corporation. We soon realized the need to expand and have our own building. Dennis Jones
through his work place arranged the purchase of a site in the Golden Place Subdivision at what is
now the corner of Greenville Blvd. and Golden Road .

The groundbreaking service was held at the site on May 1, 1966 . The night of May 2,
Rev. Billy Melvin introduced the church bond program as a way and means of financing the
project. Alton Vincent and Lewis Perkins posted a sign on the property. The first service at this
new address was December 11, 1966 . A great experience again was ours, as we celebrated and
thanked the Lord for His blessings. Soon thereafter the Steering Committee was replaced with a
Board of Deacons. Four had previously been ordained and served while three new ones were
selected and ordained. This first building is now our Fellowship Hall.

In time we outgrew that building also. We felt a need to build a larger sanctuary. On
Christmas, Sunday night, 1975, we worshipped there with a Christmas Cantata. It was a very
inspiring program in a beautiful facility. Since then we have added sidewalks, curbs, and gutters,
parking lots, filled in the big ditch that was at that time the property line. We have added a Day
Care and a Christian School , a gym, additional school facilities and many other necessary
improvements.

We must marvel that a somewhat simple beginning has developed at such a great
magnitude. We rejoice to be a part. The Lord continues to bless. He continues to answer our
prayers.

Lest we forget, this place of worship is much more than a beautiful building. It is a
church. The people who attend are the church of yesterday, today, tomorrow, and until eternity is
now.

As pastor Crawford would say, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!





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