Trinity Presbyterian Church celebrates 60 Years in Hendersonville!
- Trinity Presbyterian
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Stewardship Dedication & Anniversary Reception this Sunday, Nov 9, 2025
ABOVE: Trinity worships in the 1960s | one of our early church homes at 1403 5th Ave. W, Hendersonville | the planning team for our "new" (and current) sanctuary at 900 Blythe St. | Rev. Hugh Eichelberger, our organizing pastor
Monday, November 3, 2025—This Sunday will be a BIG DAY for Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) of Hendersonville. Celebrating 60 years, the congregation on Sunday Nov. 9 will have a special dedication service at 10 a.m., followed by an anniversary reception showcasing Trinity’s longtime partners in service to the local community.
The public is invited to both hours, with the 11 a.m. reception serving as a fun way for neighbors to not only celebrate with the church, but to come learn about the seven serving nonprofits who have long united with Trinity to meet the needs of Henderson County neighbors.
Trinity was an original organizer of seven beloved local NGOs, which the congregation has supported for decades. Those agencies, whose representatives will be present Sunday, are:
Many of these agencies have historically received funding from the congregation and also faithful volunteer support from individual Trinity members. Some of these charities were even founded by Trinity and/or its members. The church’s Reach Out and Serve page online gives the history of its deep local engagement.
The congregation’s goal from the beginning was to be a progressive beacon in Hendersonville. Way back in 1964, with the certain knowledge that the Holy Spirit was leading them, local residents Bill Gilbert and Bob Paden from First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville approached the Presbytery of Western North Carolina to gain support for a new Presbyterian church in town. With central support and a location at 900 Blythe Street eventually secured, the new church in 1965 began its life as a strong progressive voice in Hendersonville.
In addition to charitable investment, Trinity has compassionately responded to social changes over the years. Several years ago, for example, Trinity members voted to join the More Light Presbyterians, an organization working toward the full participation of LGBTQIA+ people in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and in society.
ABOVE: Jerry & Bea Miller, original members of the Hendo Chapter of PFLAG, in the Hendo Pride Parade | Trinity family Duane Johnson, Kathryn Forsythe, Diocles Wells, & Rev. Kathy Madigan at Pride Fest 2024
In 2024, Trinity was awarded the Restoring Creation Award by the national Presbyterians for Earth Care, in recognition of its work with sustainable practices, eco-education, and environmental outreach.
This year, Trinity stepped up for persecuted immigrants, stating as a congregation that:
“God our creator, savior and sustainer loves immigrants; Jesus our Lord made it clear that when we welcome immigrants, we welcome Jesus himself.”
This rhetoric is backed with action: This year, the church voted to become an Accompaniment Church, willing to offer assistance to area immigrants made anxious by the changes in governmental policy toward them.
Currently, Trinity is leading an effort to create the Henderson County chapter of Circles USA, a nationwide program building communities to end poverty, and is actively looking for partners to join that effort. (Want to learn more or get involved? Contact us thru our website or on facebook)
"Trinity stands out among the 13 churches I have pastored as an impressive mission-oriented church that doesn't just talk about faith but actually lives it out in a wide variety of practical ways,"
said Trinity’s Transitional Pastor, David Garnett.
"Our upcoming church celebration is our chance to look back at all the Lord has enabled us to do together, and look forward to all that we will do together in the future."
Trinity invites the public to join its members this Sunday at 10 a.m. for the Dedication Service or 11 a.m. for the Anniversary Celebration with community partners.
Contact: Church Administrator, Katie Cilluffo, (828) 692-6114 with questions
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