In 1894, the Rev. L.B. Turnbull, Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Durham, was instrumental in opening a mission at the Pearl Cotton Mill on Trinity Avenue. The mission first met in a mill cottage on Washington Street and later met in a chapel that was built on the mill property.

It was fifteen minutes after twelve noon on June 29, 1914, when the called meeting of the Directors of Pearl Cotton Mill came to order in the office of the Erwin Cotton Mill in West Durham. It was moved that the officials of the Corporation be instructed to deed a parcel of land situated at the northwest corner of the intersection of Duke and Trinity Avenue to the Second Presbyterian Church, for a church site. Another motion was made requesting that the Secretary-Treasurer be instructed to donate to the church the sum of $100.00 towards the expense of moving the building.

In 1917 the church was moved to a double lot on the south side of Trinity Avenue.

From 1919 through 1920 the church’s financial situation became so weak and workers so scarce that Presbytery dissolved the Second Presbyterian Church. The work of the church was carried on by means of Sunday School and prayer meetings. On May 16, 1921 a revival service led 70 people to desire to be united as members and the church was reorganized as Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church. Mr. George L. Cooper was called as the first full-time minister. Mr. Cooper put an extra effort into a membership drive in 1923. Once again the church’s financial situation had reached a dangerous point. He visited the Big Brother’s Men’s Bible Class at First Presbyterian Church, and as a result of prayer and a passionate plea, a delegation of 38 members, followed the next week by 16 more, moved their membership to Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church.

On December 10, 1924, the church decided to borrow money for a new sanctuary located on the corner of Trinity and Gregson Streets. The approximate cost of the new building in 1927 was $77,800.

The first education wing was added in the 1950s and the second wing was dedicated in the fall of 2004. In the years that followed, the congregation has had a rich history full of joys and struggles. Recent growth in membership has led the church to some much needed renovation and expansion.

Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church is a community that welcomes all those who seek God and the message of love which Jesus Christ brings. The hope and faith which we encourage in one another is a gift of God and part of God’s wonderful promise to be Emmanuel, God with us. As God has accepted us in Christ, so we seek to accept one another: in certainty and doubt, in weakness and in strength, with sincerity and humor.

Come, be part of this gathering of sinners and saints who celebrate God’s faithfulness. We gather together to rejoice in God’s life-giving Spirit, to honor our Presbyterian heritage, and to worship God who has defeated hatred and death. We go out into the world, to challenge injustice with the Good News of God’s love, to serve the least of our brothers and sisters, and to be ministers of Christ’s peace.