2005 - Keydesk and facade (Photograph by Patricia Conley/Patricia Conley)
2023-04-29 - It is remarkable that this congregation purchased their own pipe organ around the turn of the century. The organ was removed when they had to vacate their location in downtown Augusta (see mention in this article). The organ was restored and installed in the chapel at their new location because they didn't think it would be large enough for the new and larger sanctuary. Here is their history from their website: **Historical Highlights of Trinity CME Church** In 1840, Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) began as a spiritual landmark on the corner of Eighth and Taylor Streets – a symbol of the divine order of our heavenly father. Trinity is older than the CME branch of Methodism and is the daughter of Saint John United Methodist Church, located on Green Street. With 25 years yet remaining for our forefathers to suffer slavery, the Negro membership of St. John, numbering 323 of 610 members, a majority, and enough with which to begin a church, expressed a desire for a separate place to worship. Permission was granted and approximately 125 members, carrying lighter lamps-symbolic of their bright future, proceeded from St. John to Eighth and Taylor Streets and worshiped under a brush arbor (a shelter or bower formed from vines or brush.) Trinity never deserted its mother church, but stood firmly when the members of St. John transferred property to the Trustees of Trinity for the membership of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. A small church structure, about the size of a barn, was built in 1843 and served as the first symbol of achievement for the new congregation. For the first 13 years of service, St. John, then a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, supplied white pastors, but Trinity wanted one of their own as leader. The members of Trinity put together their meager resources, and Reverend James Harris, a slave preacher from Athens, Georgia and a man of some formal training, freedom was “bought” by the Trinity congregation in 1853 to serve as pastor. The first pastor’s length of service to Trinity is lost the history, but he was followed by Reverend Ned West who served until after the Civil War. We at Trinity have much to be proud of. Three of our former pastors were elected bishops; two served as General Officers; five of the bishops of the CME Church were elected and consecrated in Trinity; and three of the General Conferences were held at Trinity in 1873, 1886, and 1910. The CME Church, started at Trinity, was the first national Black organization established by former slaves. Their political stance was that of non-involvement on the part of the church they would establish. The promotion of racial harmony has always been a cornerstone in the foundation of the church. Trinity is inundated with history. Over the annals of time, the membership has been a powerful force in the community. We have sought to have a prepared ministry and the pulpit has been occupied by thirty-six of the most dedicated scholars and orators - each of whom has left his impact on the church. They have brought spiritual leadership and visions of prosperity to Trinity. Among them are; Reverends Grover C. Jay (deceased), L. R. Neal (deceased), Jerry Poole, Robert L. Jackson, III, Larry Fryer (local community activist), J. Ronzell Maness (Presiding Elder of the Augusta-Sparta District), and Donald Ralph Jordan (present pastor and spirited leader). On April 1, 1998, Trinity and its attorneys met with Atlanta Gas Light Company’s attorneys to sign all paperwork tendering deed to Atlanta Gas Light Company in exchange for the settlement amount in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The Communion and Exodus Service, held on Sunday, August 2, 1998, with Bishop Othal H. Lakey providing the sermon, was the last service held at the Eighth Street location. Da’Henri Ramsey Thurmond, Jr., a three week old infant at that time, whose ancestral roots date to 1924 in Trinity, was the last infant to be baptized at the old church location, “Mother Trinity.” The theme of the closing service, “Trinity: Exodus and Coming Rebirth,” clearly foretold the story of our past and allowed us to look forward to the future. The congregation with the Reverend J. Ronzell Maness as Pastor began holding worship service at Paine College, a local Christian Methodist Episcopal support institution. Reverend J. Ronzell Maness and the congregation then hired an architect to draw the construction plans, and named a land committee to identify parcels of land for the congregation’s consideration for the construction of a new church campus facility. In August 1999, Bishop Othal H. Lakey appointed Reverend J. Ronzell Maness as Presiding Elder of the Augusta-Thomson District, in which Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is assigned; simultaneously, Reverend Donald Ralph Jordan was appointed as the Pastor of Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Pastor Jordan brought healing and restructure. The site at 2930 Glenn Hills Drive was selected and Groundbreaking Ceremony held on October 24, 1999. A Building Committee was appointed, plans drawn and a new Church facility was completed in June, 2001. -Patricia Conley
Source: Stoplist copied from a related OHS Database listing
Augusta, Georgia
Trinity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME)
Henry Pilcher's Sons, Op. 580, 1907
A. E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company (2005)
GREAT (61 notes)
8' Open Diapason (61 metal pipes)
8' Dulciana (49 metal pipes)
8' Melodia (49 open wood pipes}
8' Stopped Diapason Bass (12 stopped wood pipes)
4' Octave (61 metal pipes)
SWELL (Expressive - 61 notes)
8' Violin Diapason (49 metal pipes)
8' Salicional (61 metal pipes)
8' Stop'd Diapason (49 stopped wood pipes)
8' Unison Bass (12 stopped wood pipes)
4' Flute Harmonique (61 metal pipes)
4' Violina (61 metal pipes)
Tremolo
PEDAL (30 notes)
16' Bourdon (30 wood pipes)
COUPLERS (operated by piston knobs between manuals)
Swell to Pedal
Great to Pedal
Swell to Great
PEDAL MOVEMENTS
Balanced Swell Pedal
ACCESSORIES
Wind Indicator
Bellows Signal
NOTES
Electric Motor
Regrettably, it is not possible to display the information about the sponsor of this pipeorgandatabase entry or if there is a sponsor. Please see About Sponsors on Pipe Organ Database.