Methodist preachers first came into what is now the state of Indiana in 1802. There are records of them meeting with the settlers of this community as early as 1821. Regular Methodist services in this area began at Fishersburg in a log school house built in 1827. In 1828 a class of Methodists was formed and ministers were supplied to preach in the log school. Charles Bonner was the first minister. It was known as the Methodist Episcopal Church and placed on the Fall Creek Circuit.

About 1842 a hewed log church was built near the old school house. It was 26 feet by 32 feet, had a good floor, and three glass windows on two sides. There were plank seats with backs. There was one door with one aisle down the center from door to pulpit. The women sat on the right side of the aisle and the men sat on the left. Separate seating was strictly enforced. The church was sold to the Baptists in 1855.

In 1853-54, a frame church was built for $1,100.00 and continued as the place of worship for the next 40 years.

In 1853, the church was placed on the Clarksville Circuit. A parsonage was built in 1856 at a cost of $220.00. In 1870 a belfry and bell were added to the building. An organ was purchased at the same time against the will of many parishioners. In 1891-92 it was decided to move from Fishersburg to Lapel.

The ground that Trinity Church now stands on was donated by William and Margaret Woodward. A brick church with a main auditorium, Epworth League room and vestibules above, and dining room below was built.

The building was expanded in 1915-16 to include 28 rooms. A new pipe organ was installed at a cost of $2,700.00. $1,000.00 was donated by Andrew Carnegie for this new pipe organ. The building was built of brick trimmed in Bedford stone, slate roof, copper gutters, and was steam heated!

In 1939, the merger of three Methodist denominations (The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Protestant Church, and The Methodist Episcopal Church South) formed The Methodist Church.

Over the years, the building has undergone extensive renovation and modernization while the original character of the building has remained the same. A major addition was added in the early 1960's. It has eight classrooms, nursery, storage space, rest rooms, office space, and a large fellowship hall. The church is fully air-conditioned.

In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church merged to form the United Methodist Church. At that time the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lapel was renamed Trinity United Methodist Church.

In 1996-97, the church undertook the task of cleaning and releading the 65 stained glass windows that add so much to the worship atmosphere and beauty of the building. Each window was removed, disassembled, and each piece of glass was cleaned. Then the windows were reassembled, releaded and reinstalled. This project should insure the life of the windows for their second century.

At present we are completing the first phase of a building projects that will create a new site outside of Lapel, and in the second phase add to the present building. In the spring of 2006, we opened TLC Childcare to supplement our outreach to young families and continuing the ministry of our Trinity Preschool.

TLC - the Trinity Life Center is at the corner of State Road 13 and State Road 38, south of Lapel. TLC is a place of ministry to and for the whole family - young and old. It is a recreational center, and educational center, and a spiritual center. 

It includes our meditation park which includes: a running/walking track, 12 meditation stations to meditate, relax, reflect, and enjoy the landscaped gardens. One of these meditation stations includes a gazebo which can be used for outdoor worship, informal programs, and outdoor weddings. Inside of the track area at the eastern end of the site are soccer fields, and at the southwest corner will be a softball diamond. The Program Center building of the Trinity Life Center which houses a child care program, and a gymnasium with a stage. The gym is available to the community for recreation, and events and will provide the setting for informal worship celebrations.

Our future addition to the Lapel building is called the Atrium Project. It calls for the addition of a large gathering area on the northeast corner of the building, additional classroom space and fellowship space, additional handicapped restrooms, and a new elevator. We will begin this phase of the building project after TLC is fully operational.

Trinity Church has a rich and lengthy history, but is a church very much a part of today - reaching out into the community and the world in the name of Jesus Christ. You are invited to come and be a part of this church family, and help us to continue to build on our proud heritage.