The history of Trinity United Methodist Church is tied with the early Revolutionary period when the state-sponsored Anglican church was diminishing and being replaced by many diverse religious groups.The 1786 minutes of the new church state that the Orange circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church consisted of 374 white and 75 black members.
In 1833, Joseph and Mary Stephens conveyed a lot on the west side of Gordonsville Road (now Caroline Street). In 1835, the Orange church was a part of the "Orange, Madison, and Blue Ridge Mission" and was served by circuit riding ministers who pastored several churches simultaneously. In 1891, the congregation decided to build a new church building and purchased a lot on Main Street, the current location. The building was dedicated in 1893.
In 1921, the church became a "Station" separate from the Orange Circuit and the parsonage was constructed on Main Street and Peliso.
Many distinguished pastors have served TUMC, including Rev. Owen T. Kelly, the Rev. Harry B. Spear and the Rev. W. Forest Porter, Jr. (by far the longest serving pastor). The current pastor is Thomas B. Barnard.