Three churches came together to forge their own trinity

ZANESVILLE – Although Trinity United Presbyterian Church wasn't formed until Jan. 25, 1981, the history, or more correctly, histories of the congregation date back over a century.

The First United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1890 with 43 charter members. They built a brick church in 1892 on Pine Street near West Main but soon outgrew the building. In 1909 a new building was erected at 1148 Ridge Ave.

During the following year Forest Avenue Presbyterian Church was organized with 116 charter members. It was an offshoot of Central Presbyterian Church and was built near Good Samaritan Hospital.

In the late 1950s, a few members of the First Presbyterian Church decided the north end of Zanesville was beginning to grow very quickly and there should be a Presbyterian church in that end of town.

In February 1957 a 5-acre site was purchased on Military Road and in October 1957 the manse at 3222 Fairway Lane was obtained. Highland Community United Presbyterian Church was officially chartered on June 5, 1958, with 44 members.

Jump to Nov. 29, 1978. Members of the Forest Avenue church invite the other five Presbyterian churches, Presbytery of Muskingum Valley and Eastside Ministries to a meeting. Over the next couple of years the meetings continued with the intention of discussing a declining number of members, senior members on fixed incomes with the churches' financial burdens, older buildings needing repair and the lack of membership growth and younger members.

Members discussed the feasibility of merging congregations. There were votes taken and three churches opted to enter into talks about a merger. They were First United, Putnam and Forest. On July 28, 1980, Highland joined the active merger process. Each congregation took a vote and only Putnam decided against a merger.

The merger was approved by the Presbytery of Muskingum Valley on Jan. 25, 1981, and the Rev. Frank Montgomery was called to serve as interim pastor for the new congregation. He was instrumental in helping the three churches join as one with as little difficulty as possible. Montgomery was sensitive to the fragile merger and talked to other ministers about not trying to encourage the new congregation members away.

Church elder Dick Patterson helped start the merger process and served as chairman of the site committee. Paul Willis and George Mayall were also members. They reviewed seven locations before settling on the final place. "Highland church property was recommended and approved by session," said Patterson.

Another 1.56 acres east of the Highland church was purchased to be used to build the new church. It was to be an expansion of the Highland building and its construction would cost more than $1 million. The Trinity United Presbyterian Church was built at 830 Military Road. On Sept. 11, 1983, a cornerstone laying service was held.

The building was dedicated on June 24, 1984. It included a tower stairway, hexagonal dining room and an elevator. Its most vivid feature was the triangular design. Trinity United Presbyterian Church seemed to be a very descriptive name for the new congregation since it not only represents the three separate churches, the church design and the Holy Trinity.

The Rev. Kenneth Kettlewell was the first pastor installed in the new church on Sept. 30, 1984. Current pastor Dennis Allison has been here a short time, but he is very pleased to be part of Trinity. "I am most impressed with how friendly everyone is here," Allison said. "It's almost a southern kind of friendliness."

Allison is also impressed with the strong work ethic of the members. "They throw themselves into the teachings of the church," he said. "I was surprised by their attitude. They want to teach Sunday school throughout the summer. That is unheard of in most churches."

Betty Baldwin has taught the kindergarten class at Trinity's Sunday school for many years. She also keeps many of the publications and information about the church. "Before Ione Supplee passed away, she gave me a folder of information to keep containing newspaper clippings and other information," she said.

Elder Kristina Hawk edits the newsletter for the church. She has been instrumental in getting out the message the church provides to the community. Their website is www.trinityup.org. Hawk has assisted in gathering a history of the three churches that make up Trinity Presbyterian.

The Schanz organ was a new addition to the newly completed building and was dedicated on July 8, 1984. However each of the previous congregations brought something from the original churches to contribute to the new building.

Highland church building became the chapel and class rooms. The beautiful stained glass windows were brought from the First United Presbyterian and the Forest Avenue churches and installed in the chapel. The large cross in the sanctuary came from the Forest Avenue church.

The three congregations have truly made the merger a happy circumstance. They have blended their own histories and previous church items to make one joyful congregation.