Trinity
Methodist
Church
About Trinity Methodist Church
Our church is more than handmade brick, wood, and stained glass. It’s the faith of the people who founded Mount Zion church in 1840 and who rebuilt on this site after destruction by Civil War, fire, and storm. It’s also the courage to stand together for Christ in every era.
SEE MORE BELOW ABOUT:
Member Spotlight:
CAROLYN
"I feel very strongly about the Word of God being
preached and taught to everyone, and I knew the background of Sam’s teaching was very scriptural.”
OUR VISION
Proclaiming the grace and truth of Jesus Christ through teaching his word, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, equipping us to do God’s work.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Together, we want to reflect the teachings of God’s word in our world by the Lord’s grace, and to share Christ’s message of hope with everyone. Click below to see more about what we believe.
OUR LEADERS
SAM CLARKE, PASTOR
Sam applies his unique combination of study and experiences to offer vibrant Biblical preaching and teaching on the Kingdom of Almighty God and today’s world.
He was first called to ministry after 23 years in the business world. In 1997, he graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, with a Master of Divinity. Since then, he has served Episcopal congregations in Winchester, TN, Hendersonville, TN, and Winter Park, FL. In June of 2022, he was called as Trinity’s pastor.
In addition to pastoral ministry, in 2007, Sam was called by the International Christian Embassy and Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, to be the first director of Christian Friends of Yad Vashem. He shares a deep appreciation for the Jewish heritage of the Christian faith, along with a love for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. For 36 years, Sam was married to the late Marianne Herbert Clarke, whose Herbert and Wilson ancestors helped start Trinity Methodist Church. Between them, Sam and Marianne have 5 children and 13 grandchildren.
RUSSELL SAUNDERS
Music Director
Music is literally in Russell’s DNA. Today, he believes that the Lord has called him to our church to help people to worship the Lord through music.
Music is literally in Russell’s DNA. His grandfather led the Naval Academy Vagabond Orchestra for 47 years; his great-aunt was an occasional concert pianist for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; and his aunt organized numerous benefit concerts in Annapolis and performed on piano. Russell began playing piano at age 4, and performed throughout Europe as a teenager. He won first place twice in the 16/17 year-old category in a European competition for original music composition and orchestration, and studied for one summer at the Berlin Conservatory of Music. During college, he paid tuition by serving as choir director for several churches, including Catholic, Presbyterian, and Baptist, offering broad exposure to many styles of music. While studying conducting under retired Maestro Prentis Melder, Russell developed an appreciation of orchestration and conducting. Today, the Lord has led him to Trinity Methodist Church and called him to bring people to the Lord’s altar through music.
DONNIE HARTSOCK
President, Family Council
RENITA HARTSOCK
Lay Leader
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Here are a few questions people ask us. Click on each link for our response.
We’d love to answer other questions when you visit, or contact us as shown below.
Is Trinity Methodist Church affiliated with any other Methodist group?
In March, 2025, church members present and voting unanimously approved affiliating with the Association of Independent Methodists (AIM). You can learn more about AIM on their website, www.AIM2020.com. We participate in ministry outreach with other AIM congregations.
Do you have regular programs for children and teens?
Trinity welcomes kids of all ages, and a few families with school-aged children worship with us regularly. We have a weekly Sunday School class at 10 a.m. for older children based on the Trueway Bible Curriculum, led by experienced and background-checked teachers. We are preparing as the need arises to add care for babies-toddlers and programs for teens. We hold special events for children and families such as our Family Fun Fest, and also involve kids in the life of our church by serving as an acolyte, greeter or elsewhere. By special arrangement, we can also offer supervision during worship for those with special needs.
You say that your church is “grounded in God’s word”. What does that mean?
Simply that we trust that the entire Bible was inspired by Almighty God, and is the ultimate authority for our teaching, beliefs and lives. The Bible is “a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path,” and is to be used by the church “for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness,” so that we are equipped for God’s service.
TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH
2084 Wilson Pike, Franklin, TN | (615) 794-2665
Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Central Time
Adult Sunday School: 10:00 AM