On a hot summer afternoon in 1955 fate would bring three men together around a water fountain in Building 781 on Redstone Arsenal. Strangely, the topic of conversation between Al Graham, Bill Davis and Coy Brock that day was not rockets and technology, but the need for a new Methodist Church in South Huntsville. They later teamed up with Bob Haraway and Walt Crumpton to visit and propose the idea to the then District Superintendent, Sig Christian. Thus this "Fabulous Five" had sowed the seeds that were the beginning of the present Trinity United Methodist Church.

TUMC TIMELINE
(Years 1956 to 1959)

1956 In January, the J.S. McDonnell "Need Us" Sunday School Class (135 members) at First Methodist Church conducted a house-to-house survey in South Huntsville to determine interest.

March 18, the first service was held in Fifth Avenue School with Dr. Christian preaching (200 attendees and 152 joined).

March 18, first meeting of the Board of Stewards met at 3:00 p.m. in the home . of Bob Hooker to organize and elect officers. Walt Crumpton, first Chairman of the Board, presided.

March 19, first Quarterly Conference held in the Lutheran Church where the church was officially constituted and lay leadership confirmed.

March 26, Church Naming Committee appointed with Brooks Moore Chairman and members Lionel Greenwood, Ethyl DeArmond, Marion Deuel and Lloyd Kranert.

April 15, Earl F. Gossett (Vanderbilt Ministerial Student) hired as first part time interim pastor.

May 9, Quarterly Conference held at the Holmes Street Methodist Church, Brooks Moore reported last vote by congregation for a church name showed the members preferred the name Trinity. The Conference approved Trinity's incorporation.

June 1, A church membership list established for Charter Members and limited to those who had become members as of this date (232 members).

Sept. 3, Trinity made last payment to the $15,000 cost of the five acre lot, thus. setting a precedent for fiscal responsibility.

July, Rev. E.S. Jackson assigned as first full time pastor. 1956 November, purchased first parsonage at 561 Bonita Circle.

November, Architect Evan Terry begins design of first church facility on Airport Road.

1957 March, Ground Breaking Service on Airport Road lot with choir on flat bed truck and congregation on grounds. Construction begins on first building phase i.e. West Wing, Fellowship Hall (temporary Sanctuary) and Office area.

October 4, Russians launch Sputnik 1.

1958 January 31, U.S. Army Ballistic missile Agency launches Explorer 1 satellite.

March, first worship service held in Airport Road church (Fellowship Hall). Lucile Greenwood organized and directed the Children's Choir, and Mary Nell Linney organized and directed the Junior Choir.

December, Trinity membership rose to 556 (260 families). Peak Church School attendance was 252 children and 169 adults. The 1958-59 Budget totaled $56,300.

1959 July, East Wing of Airport Road Trinity Church completed.