At the end of the Civil War in 1865, the healing of divided loyalties came slowly.  In Salisbury, a year later, eight men withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church, driven by the desire to worship God as they saw fit.  Accordingly, they set in motion the steps that would eventually establish Trinity Church.  They sent a petition to the Virginia Conference asking for the presiding elder of the Norfolk District, the Reverend Dr. M. Lecato, to visit them for that purpose.  A serious minded young teen-aged girl, Miss Nannie Rider, heard of the meeting and attended the discussions. Her intense interest and dedication to the formation of the new church won her the distinction of being the only woman present at that historic occasion, which brought Southern Methodism to the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  Later, as the wife of Maryland’s governor Elihu E. Jackson, she would be the moving force in providing Trinity with its present sanctuary in 1905 as well as the Jackson Memorial Building in 1930.

The founding fathers, James Cannon, Hugh Jackson, William B. Tilghman, Isaac Jackson, Henry Brewington, Levin J. Dashiell, William W. Gordy and Levin Dorman had plans drawn up for the first Southern Methodist Chapel, a modest wooden structure to be built on the northwest corner of Bond and Water Streets. A pastor was obtained, the aforementioned Rev. Dr. Lecato. Regular worship began and the congregation grew to thirty-three within a year.  By 1885 the number had more than doubled, reaching seventy-seven members.  During the difficult days of the Reconstruction the little congregation was sustained by its faith and the closeness of its members in fellowship and purpose.

Trinity was to be tried by fire three times in its history.  In 1885, the first building burned.  It was quickly rebuilt, only to be reduced to ashes by the Great Salisbury Fire in 1886.  Not to be discouraged, Trinity members worshiped for a time in the Court House.  Then, through the kindness of a neighboring congregation they met in the Presbyterian Auditorium.  By 1887, the third building was erected.  Later it would become the church home of the St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic congregation.

The former Miss Nannie Rider and her husband, now Governor Elihu E. Jackson, became Trinity’s benefactors, donating the present church which was begun and completed under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas N. Potts, D.D.  It was dedicated on May 21, 1905.  Twenty-five years later, Mrs. Jackson presented the church the Jackson Memorial Building as a memorial to her husband.  This building is used to house the church school classes and fellowship activities.

Trinity’s last ordeal by fire occurred in 1940 and left a badly damaged interior to be restored to its former beauty.  The exquisite Tiffany mosaics at the chancel area and stained glass windows were miraculously spared for future congregations and visitors to enjoy.  Both the mosaics and the windows are rare examples of the artistry of Louis C. Tiffany and are described in the History of Tiffany Windows.

Many gifts have since enhanced worship at Trinity Church.  In 1942 the congregation donated the Skinner Organ, a rare and unique music instrument.  Chimes and bells were later given by Mr. Paul Phillips.  The Baptismal Font was given by Mrs. Henry Coles.  The J.M.B. was restored in 1968 and refurbished in 1989.  The congregation donated new hymnals in 1990, needle point chancel rail kneeling pads in 1992, the Memorial Parlor and Christ Chapel in 1993, pew Bibles in 1994.  The Arts Institute Building and parking lot adjacent to the church property was purchased and given to Trinity Church in 1994 by Mrs. Mildred Palmer in memory of her husband, Harry L. Palmer.  The Harry L. Palmer Building houses the church offices and several conference rooms.

Early struggles made Trinity’s congregation exceptionally interested in the formation of mission churches.  During the pastorate of Dr. Thomas N. Potts, St. Andrews Methodist Church on Vine Street was organized in 1903.  In 1960 the Trinity family pledged $25,000 to build Christ Church on land donated by the Peninsula Conference on Phillip Morris Drive.  Christ Church now serves many Methodists who live in the eastern section of Salisbury.

Untold numbers of Christians have benefited from the efforts of the small group who founded Trinity Methodist Church more than a century ago.  Before 1939, when the unification of Methodism came, Trinity was the northernmost appointment in the old Southern Methodist Church.  In September 1970, the Trinity Administrative Board officially changed the name from Trinity Methodist Church South, of Wicomico, Maryland. to Trinity United Methodist Church of Salisbury, Maryland.
 
Together with faith, courage and open hearts, Trinity’s members and families have made the dreams of her early founders come true.  Trinity has over 1,200 members and is one of the largest worshiping congregations on the Eastern Shore.  We look forward to ever greater progress to the glory of God and His work among us.