Excerpt from
trinitycobourg.ca/history.asp:
Trinity United Church was originally a Wesleyan Methodist Church. From about 1790, traveling Methodist preachers held services in homes or small chapels throughout this areas. They traveled on foot and by horseback, covering large areas called "circuits" and became known as "circuit riders" or "saddle-bag preachers." The first church on this property was a small frame chapel, 30' by 40', built in 1824 and dedicated November 28th. The building cost 300 pounds. At that time, the population of Cobourg was about 100 people.
In 1852, the frame chapel was replaced by a larger brick church simple Gothic design with tower and spire,seating 390 people. The architect was William G. Storm of Kingston. The west half of our present church, including the main entrance and the north and south porch entrances date from this time. The interior at that time had exposed beams across the ceiling, and pews closed by partitions with small doors. The gallery stairs at the back date from 1860. The church was enlarged to accommodate the growing population of both town and Victoria College.
A parsonage was built on the north side of Chapel Street in 1872. Sold in 1992, it is now used for commercial purposes. A Sunday School Hall was built beside the parsonage in 1881. Used as a Sunday School until 1959, it became the Cobourg Public Library until 1995.
Reconstruction and expansion of the church was undertaken in 1900-1901 to accommodate an increased membership due to the union of the several branches of Methodism in this area. Renamed the Cobourg Methodist Church, the building was enlarged by the addition of the transepts and a new chancel and organ loft. The interior was redesigned with arches, stained glass windows, and new semi-circular pews of oak and ash Trinity United 1900 purchased from Waterloo, Ontario. The oak railing and woodwork in the chancel were purchased from Messrs. Henderson Bros., local contractors, and members of the congregation. The sanctuary seats approximately 800 people.
