About Us

1853

November 5: the First Presbyterian Church of Indianola was organized.

1863

Meeting place established, a building purchased for $600 and remodeled as a church

1869

Lot at Howard & First Avenue purchased - $550

1870

Frame church building built - $7,690

1874

Troy bell added (700 pounds)

1889

A few blocks away, the United Presbyterian Church was built at corner of Salem & First Streets; cost about $14,000

1900

Present church building built - $15,786 ($2,786 over budget)

1905

Estey organ purchased with the church ladies raising pumpkins, processing the pulp, then making and selling pumpkin pies at every local event imaginable- $2,400

1928

Dug out remainder of basement under the sanctuary - $3,600

1939

Boy Scout Troop 126 was chartered with the sponsorship of the First Presbyterian Church

1942

South Sunday School room made into pastor’s study (later church secretary’s office)

1947

Choir chancel remodeled - $995

1958

Sanctuary remodeled and redecorated – circular wood railing, communion table and pulpit

1959

Merger: First Presbyterian Church and United Presbyterian Church formed Trinity United Presbyterian Church (United Presbyterian Church building was sold to City of Indianola for $25,000 and razed)

1960

Property east of sanctuary purchased

1961

Session set a budget goal of 50% to Mission and 50% local operating expenses; currently the budget was 27%.

1963

Trinity hosted 10 children from inner-city Chicago (Beacon House) for a week

1963

New roof on church

1965

Four Trinity members traveled to Indianola, Mississippi, to express support for a Black community suffering severe repression.

1970

Christian Education building built - $60,000; $50,000 to mission, known as the 50-50 Fund.

1973

Boiler installed

1975

Sanctuary repainted and repapered

1976

Budget for Mission was 43%, up from 27% in 15 years. Furthermore, Trinity was now involved with 3 fraternal workers: in Lebanon, South Korea and Indonesia.

1976

Storm windows installed - $5,200

1981

The Attic which began at Trinity joined the community-wide Clothes Closet and Food Pantry with a new board backed by the Indianola Ministerial Association. In 1982 this was renamed Helping Hand.

1981

The Peace Task Force (part of Local Mission) was initiated. Within a short time Central America became a focal point.

1982

Three M Project (Money for Mission and Music): Dobson organ purchased - $106,000; Sanctuary remodeling to accommodate organ, $16,000; major contribution to mission, $85,000, in addition to Mission in Operating Budget

1988

Habitat for Humanity was added to our Mission Ministry.

1991

Sanctuary building tuckpointed

1991

Joined Meals on Wheels delivery volunteers.

1992

Senior High Youth went on first summer mission trip. This became an annual part of Trinity’s youth program and continues.

1993

The Board of Deacons was revived and is a vital ministry for Trinity.

1993

Provide continued support for Door of Faith Mission, Iowa Homeless Youth Shelter, and others.

1994

Added Chancel Bells to our music program.

1995

New roof installed on sanctuary- $35,000

1996

Our relationship with El Salvador began with members taking health and sewing supplies to assist in their sewing coops.

1997

Welcomed and sponsored the Cehobasic family from Bosnia until they became self-sufficient. We provided them with everything from household goods to transportation, job seeking, language and assisting with medical needs.

1997

The church sanctuary was completely renovated; mission contribution of $22,000 toward the development of a new church, Heartland Presbyterian Church

2002

Trinity again hosted the Community Thanksgiving Service sharing responsibilities and turns with other local churches.

2003

Became involved with Our Sister Parish Coffee, the El Salvador coffee project.

2004

Changed our El Salvador relationship from Canton San Isidro to the community of Casa de Zinc.

2004

A Celebration Service was added on Sunday mornings.

2005

Renovation began on the recently purchased building which by 2007 became known as PATH.

2005

A vision for a new local ministry for the unemployed was formed and WeLIFT emerged; this non-profit continues to use Trinity’s PATH.

2006

Fifty-five high school youth traveled to Bay City, MI to repair homes and hearts of those in need.

2008

The new Fellowship addition to the sanctuary was completed.

2009

Trinity hosted The World Day of Prayer services for the community.

2010

Added the Evening Ana Circle to UPW. (The Morning Martha Circle has existed for decades.)

2011

Estimated date for when the popular Men’s Coffee Fellowship began

2012

Added Casa de Zacate to our partnership in El Salvador. The El Salvador ministry has become known as TEST (Trinity’s El Salvador Team)

2013

The Green Team Ministry was added under the Mission Team.

2014

Koinonia, a Bible study group, meets on Monday night; it is unknown when the group actually started, but they continue to meet in 2024.

2015

Loans were paid off for the Fellowship addition in a record 78 payments, some of the loans were for 20 years. Total cost was approx. $1,000,000.

2017

Partnered with the Methodist Church with Open Table, community meal project.

2018

Moved Church School for youth from Sunday mornings to Wednesday evenings.

2018

Added the electronic sign to the northwest corner of the church.

2018

Added AV system in the sanctuary with monitors and better sound equipment.

2018

MacAlister Clan Fellowship Group celebrated 60 years.

2020

Trinity adopted a room at the newly created Heal House for the Homeless in Indianola; Trinity members serve on the board and help with other needs.

2020

Began livestreaming church services.

2020

Our Celebration Service team retired and a new format for contemporary worship began on Saturday evenings in the Fellowship Hall.

2023

We celebrated Mark Koskamp’s 40th anniversary as Trinity’s organist and many years as Minister of Music.

2024

New boiler system installed for sanctuary.