The Trinity African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is the oldest continuously operating black church in Utah.  Trinity AME was organized in 1890 by Rev. T. Saunders when Salt Lake City was the capital of Utah Territory.  The early date of founding reflects the presence of black non-Mormon Christians in Utah during its early settlement. Although there were numerous black members of the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) in Salt Lake City, some of whom arrived with Brigham Young in 1847, they never formed a separate church organization. Thus Trinity Church ranks as the oldest African American church in Utah.

The congregation met in various members homes until it acquired enough funds to buy property to build a church in 1907. The new church was located on 600 South which is now Martin Luther King Boulevard.  It was designed by Hurly Howell, a member of the congregation. The building was completed in 1909 by the congregation when Rev. T. C. Bell was pastor.  The church edifice was a small, rectangular, split-level building with a square tower and colorful leaded-glass windows.

Trinity AME has a history of community involvement with organizations like the Salt Lake City branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the black Masonic lodge of Salt Lake City.  The churchs basement continues to house Salt Lake Citys first black community center.  In 1960 when Salt Lake City’s black population numbered 1,560, the center had its own girls and boys basketball teams.  The church was also involved with the local YMCA and was usually the focal point of the local black community.

From the 1930s and through the 1960s the church congregation numbered around 300 members. Despite the previous strong membership, the church has struggled with declining membership since the 1970s.  In 2012 it reported only 50 worshippers a week. Trinity AME now touts itself as a working class church that primarily serves widowed senior citizens. It has struggled to attract more youth despite its long