In 1983, a group of people decided that another Southern Baptist Church was needed in Mt. Pleasant. After many prayer meetings and two organizational meetings, Trinity Baptist Church met for the first services on February 6, 1983 with 31 charter members including the Allen, Couch, Easley, Jones, Kidwell, Lindsey, Oakerson, Willingham, and Witherspoon families. The first services were held in the Civic Center with Rev. Roy DeSilvey, a consultant from the Missions Division of the Baptist General Convention of Texas serving as interim pastor. Joe Allen volunteered to lead the music and Karen Oakerson was hired as part-time Minister of Education.
In March, the congregation purchased facilities at 212 Magnolia and in less than a month, rented an adjacent house to use as an annex for additional educational space. Reggie McNeal and his wife, Cathy, became the church's first pastor on May 29, 1983. In June, 1983, the church purchased 7.8 acres on Loop 271 for a permanent site. In July, an adult retreat was held with every charter family represented. Seven key areas were identified for concentration which were: worship, Bible Study, evangelism, missions, discipleship, fellowship, and ministry. Fifteen years later, these same key areas are still a vital part of their ministry. By the end of the first year, membership exceeded 100.
In February, 1984, Trinity moved to 414 N. Jefferson while a building committee was formed to find more adequate facilities for the growing congregation. By the end of 1984, plans were underway to purchase and renovate a facility at Highway 67 and N. Jefferson, and Trinity moved again in October, 1985. Portable buildings were purchased for additional educational space. Mike Kessler was hired as associate pastor in 1988 with both youth and music responsibilities.
Trinity purchased an additional 7.6 acres of land, making a total of 15 1/2 acres, on Loop 271 and the church was able to completely retire the land debt. Construction on their current facilities began in January 1989, services were first held in the new facility on April 8, 1990, and dedication followed on May 22, 1989.
In 1993, Reggie McNeil resigned to join the South Carolina Baptist General Convention in the area of pastoral leadership and development. In 1994, Trinity called its second pastor, Glen Kersey and his wife, Dawn. Mike Beck became Minister to Students in 1995. Bruce Prindle, the present pastor, and his wife, Kelly, joined Trinity in April, 1996.
Trinity Baptist Church provided this history article to The Titus County, Texas History Website on April 5, 2007.
