On May 15, 1960, Rev. E.S. Jones, the Columbia District Superintendent of the Methodist Church, called together a group of interested people for the purpose of organizing a Methodist church in the Saluda Gardens area of West Columbia.

From this organizational meeting, Trinity UMC came to life as a community church with 75 members. Rev. D. Layton Gregory was appointed by the District Superintendent to serve as pastor.

The first worship service took place on May 22, 1960, at the Exxon Auditorium in Columbia. Less than two months later, the first pastor, Rev. William Neil Taylor, was assigned to Trinity. On September 11, 1960, Trinity members began meeting in the social hall of Mount Tabor Lutheran Church. One year later, on May 14, 1961, the Trinity family moved into their new building on Gunter Circle.

In 1985, the present sanctuary was completed and a service of Consecration and Holy Communion was held on June 12. The first worship service was held in the new sanctuary on June 16.

In 2000, after purchasing land from South Carolina Electric and Gas for a parking lot with an entrance on Mohawk Drive, plans were approved for paving and parking lot and renovating the educational building and fellowship hall.

On June 20, 2003, groundbreaking for a new addition to the educational building was held. Homecoming and Dedication of the additions were held on May 23, 2004. The additions included three classrooms, a choir room, a conference room, bathrooms, a spacious area affectionately known as the Gathering Place and a lovely new kitchen. The kitchen facilities were immediately utilized for the Wonderful Wednesday night suppers that led to an exciting Lay Witness weekend.

Current members express their gratitude to those early members who caught the vision more than 50 years ago