Trinity United Methodist Church at 757 Willow St., Lebanon, evolved from the merger in 1975 of Trinity Evangelical United Brethren Church at Ninth and Willow streets and Centenary United Methodist Church at Eighth and Willow streets.
Trinity and Centenary became sister churches in 1968 with the merger of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren denominations throughout the country. Following the denominational merger, the congregants under the leadership of the Rev. Thomas E. Anderman (Centenary UMC) and the Rev. Harold E. Beamesderfer (Trinity Evangelical UMC) began conversation about yoking the two churches.
Both the former Trinity EUB and Centenary Methodist denominations have illustrious histories in the formation of formal religious education in Lebanon County. Founded in 1840, Centenary Church was the first Methodist Church in Lebanon and this year will mark 185 years of Methodism in our community. The original Trinity was founded in 1860 and conducted worship in the German language, but with the increase of members came the introduction of English-speaking people and thus became the first English-speaking congregation of that denomination in Lebanon.
Following the merger of these two churches located within a block of each other, the congregants made the decision to keep the name Trinity and to build a new church with a first-floor sanctuary on the site of the former Centenary church at 757 Willow Street. Demolition began in the fall of 1977. The first concrete block was laid in February 1978. Major rebuilding began in August 1978. The first service in the new church was conducted on Sept. 9, 1979.
The Rev. Dr. John S. Carter served as pastor from 1975 to 1987. Now retired, he and his wife Phyllis reside at Cornwall Manor and worship at Trinity. Others who have served Trinity over the years are: The Rev. Charles Bartolett, 1987-1991; The Rev. Glenn Fisher, 1991-1998; The Rev. Edward Tucker, 1998-2004; The Rev. Mark Young, 2004-2008; The Rev. Alice Ann Bonham, 2008-2014; The Rev. Lynn Hackman, 2014- 2023; and The Rev. Jessica Lynn Ross is the current pastor.
Through the years, Trinity UMC has been involved with humanitarian agencies and in numerous cultural, educational, social and outreach programs aimed at improving peoples’ lives. Included are Lebanon County Christian Ministries and its Homeless Shelter program, Community Homes of Lebanon Valley, Willow Terrace, Lebanon County Community Concert Association, Choir Camp, Munchin’ Methodists, Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts.
Although Trinity is small in numbers, its outreach is felt in their Worship Services, Christian Education Classes for Adults, Senior Choir, Bible Study, Men’s and Women’s Education and Fellowship Groups, Fifth Sunday Serving, Willow Terrace and American House Ministries, Local, State, National and International Mission Projects. At Trinity UMC there is a strong desire to be a warm, caring fellowship that offers an environment for individual and family growth leading to maturity in the Christian faith. All are invited to celebrate Trinity’s 50th anniversary homecoming on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 10:00am.