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We at Trinity Wesleyan Church believe that exalting God in corporate worship and daily living is the primary purpose of our existence. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we share the love of Jesus Christ in accordance with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) to all people in the Downriver communities in order to:
Core Values
History of our Church In answer to many years of prayer by one of God's saints, Mrs. Hattie Frontz, the Ecorse Pilgrim Holiness Church was organized in 1935. Services were held for several months, prior to the organizing of the church, in the home of Rev. and Mrs. J. N. Walker. Rev. Frink, district superintendent of the Michigan District, organized the church on September 6, 1935 with seven senior charter members, Rev. and Mrs. J.N. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Walker, Mr. David Damron, Mrs. Ethyl Wilder, and Mrs. Hattie Frontz, plus one junior member, Miss Luramae Walker, now Luramae Safron. Mrs. Hattie Frontz was the first Sunday school superintendent. There are now no living charter members. A store building was rented on Alliotte Road in Ecorse and Rev. Ralph E. Hart was called as the first pastor. Services were held in this building for several months until space became inadequate. A larger hall was rented under a store building at Applewood on Southfield Road in Lincoln Park. As the church continued to grow, the hall on Southfield became inadequate and an empty bank building on the corner of Jefferson and Southfield Road in Ecorse was rented. Worship services were held there for several months until word was received that this building was to be moved to make way for the widening of Southfield Road. Services were then held for some time at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Thomas. After much earnest prayer, and many hard months, lots were purchased on Eighth Street in Ecorse. Few of the members were making much money at this time as the country was going through the depression. Due to the very generous giving of God's people, some of whom took out personal loans, turning the money over to the building fund, and paying the loans off themselves in monthly payments, a church building was started. After the walls were up money ran out. As the snow began falling, the sub-floor swelled causing the walls to crack. The pastor, Rev. Leroy Bruce, mortgaged his car to get money to put the roof on the building. Services were held in this building until it was destroyed by fire on Sunday, March 8, 1953. God apparently saw the work was finished in that neighborhood. By the mercy of God, only the morning service was missed as a hall was secured in Lincoln Park for the evening service. Rev. T.M. Fast was pastor at that time. After much prayer for the "mind of God" and searching through the area, lots were purchased on Coolidge Avenue in Lincoln Park. Due to the untiring efforts of Rev. and Mrs. T.M. Fast and a group of faithful workers, the congregation was able to move into a new building in 13 months time. The first service was held with the congregation sitting on rock wood while others were standing. On April 25, 1956, the Ecorse Pilgrim Holiness Church officially became the Lincoln Park Pilgrim Holiness Church. Dedication of the new church was held on April 22, 1956. Another milestone was reached on October 1, 1967, at which time the mortgage was burned. The happy occasion was a reality because the people had a mind to work and they prayed and trusted God's divine leading. The church board under the leadership of Rev. Eldon Nelson, then began to make a careful evaluation of the Lincoln Park property in terms of the possibility of growth for the congregation. The need for larger and more adequate facilities for future generations was placed before the church membership. With a vision for the future, the congregation voted to relocate and build again. Trinity Wesleyan Church became the name of the congregation after the merger of the Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Wesleyan Methodist Church in June 1968. A tremendous task faced the board to find acreage. After prayer and searching, five acres were purchased on a land contract at 14250 Reeck Road on March 14, 1969. Through the generous donations of the people, the land was paid for in April 1973. In July 1973, the church in Lincoln Park was sold. The new owners agreed to share the building until the new church was ready for occupancy. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on July 29, 1973. Construction of the new church and educational unit began in September. The first service was held in the church on August 25, 1974. The people moved in before its completion to a concrete floor and folding chairs, but this was far better than the rock wood of 1954. Constant improvements have been made to give the people adequate place to worship and facilities to provide for Christian education as well as fellowship. The building in which we now worship was dedicated on April 24, 1977. By May 19, 1991, we had paid our debts and a mortgage burning service was held on that day. Sensing the need for having more seating space, a balcony was finished and pews bought. The balcony was dedicated on March 29, 1992. Although we needed a few member loans to complete the balcony and expansion and refinishing of the parking lot, the projects were finished in a timely manner. Currently there are 143 members. History of our Pastors
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