Trinity Methodist Church - 1935

In 1935, when Dale and Nona were looking for a house, the realtor told them about the Gowan Jones Couples' Sunday School Class at Trinity Methodist Church. This turned out to be a center for Nona's and Dale Resler's lives and was a place where they met many of their lifelong friends. The history of Trinity-First United Methodist Church begins in 1881 when the Reverend J.R. Carter arrived from Georgia, and held services in the Masonic building in downtown El Paso, an adobe windowless building with dirt floors. On Jan. 29, 1882 a wooden church was built on the corner of Texas and Stanton Sts. There were 13 names on the rolls, and Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church became the first Protestant church in El Paso. In 1905 the property on the corner of Mesa and Yandell St. was purchased. The cornerstone was laid on April 29, 1906 with plans for a large, Gothic style building, which became the largest church in the Southwest at that time. Then, in 1937 Trinity Hall was added. By 1939 a larger church was needed, and the beautiful Gothic style building was razed, down to the basement. A Spanish Renaissance church was built on the site, which is the church you see today. In 1952 Trinity opened one of the first church-related preschools in El Paso, which is still in operation. In 1963 Resler Hall was built, during Dr. Brodacd Elkins’ ministry. He and his wife, Wynona organized the Heritage Committee, to preserve the church’s rich history. Then, in 1979 Trinity UMC and First UMC united, to become Trinity-First UMC. Soon thereafter, a TV ministry was begun, and continued until 2003. The Sunday services were broadcast live. During that time the building connecting Trinity Hall and Resler Hall was built, including an elevator. In 1999 a food pantry was opened in the church basement, which later moved to another location, and has grown into the largest food distribution center in El Paso. The first reverend of Trinity First was a member of El Paso Lodge # 130. Furthermore, the "masonic building" was in fact, El Paso Lodge # 130. Trinity Methodist Church, El Paso, TX, 1935 http://www.trinity-first.org/about-us/our-heritage/