Trinity United Methodist Church Bell Tower

The year was 1869. America was in the early stages of recovery from the deeply divisive Civil War. In Madison, as a gesture of good will, a proposal was made to unite the Methodist churches that had been separated by the politics of war. As a grand symbol of unity, a new church was constructed to bring together all the congregations. Five years later, Trinity United Methodist Church was dedicated. To this day, it holds the distinction of being the tallest building in town. The spire rises 212 feet above street level.

The church’s main entrance is on Broadway Street. There you can appreciate the distinctive features of this beautiful Gothic Revival building. Notice the pointed arches over the windows and doors as well as the church’s steeply pitched roof and ornamental details along the gables.

In 1967, an educational wing was added to the church’s west end. The addition has its own entrance on West Main Street and repeats many of the features of the 1870s church with its steep roof, pointed arch over the door, and brick walls.