For members of Trinity Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in Miami, last Sunday transcended the usual day of worship, marking the 100-year anniversary of its founding.
Under the roof of Bethany Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brownsville, churchgoers danced along to the soulful songs of the gospel choir and listened to guest speakers preach about what they believe has kept Trinity CME together for so long: a strong sense of family.
“The people are just family oriented,” said Pastor Calvin Hopkins. “They have struggled together. They have been victorious together. They have been through many different challenges and trials and come out on the other side in victory.”
But as they celebrated their centennial, longtime church members didn’t shy away from the challenges their congregation now faces. As attendance and financial investment in Black churches continue to dip, the community at Trinity is holding fast to ensure it lasts another 100 years…