10/20/2026
Trinity UMC Rebuild Updates etc:
1. A big THANK YOU! to the owner of Fine Thread/Little People boutiques for their fundraiser on 10/17 benefiting our church rebuild project. Support local shops!
2. We have had several requests pertaining to the donations of stocks toward our rebuilding efforts. Information forthcoming on how to do this.
3. And for you history lovers, from our own Frank Taff:
“We had a visit last week from a fifth generation descendant of Robert McKim who was a big influence in the formation and building of Trinity Church.
Taken from the history of Trinity written by Mary Hensler and Alice Sprague 1991.
Robert McKim did more than any other one person for Trinity Church at the formation. He was born in Ireland, county Ryene, May 25, 1816. After he completed his apprenticeship as a stonemason, he was married and immediately afterwards immigrated to this country, landing in Philadelphia where he remained about 15 months as a journeyman at his trade. Having heard of opportunities in the West , he came to Madison in the fall of 1857 and remained the rest of his life.
Mr. McKim was one of the most prominent figures in Madison business, scientific and religious circles. He was a member of Trinity Church, President of the First National Bank, owner of McKim Coal Company, co-owner of McKim-Crochrane Furniture factory, had an interest in the Cotton Mill and a stockholder in the Jeffersonville-Madison-Indianapolis Railroad Company. He helped substantially with the building of Trinity Church, gave the decorative beams and the pews and steeple.
He was liberal with his aid to benevolent institutions such as: Children’s Home, Old Ladies’ Home. The Madison Library, Christ Episcopal Church and the I.O.O.F. Lodge.
His interest in astronomy led him to build an observatory at his home on the corner of Second and Mill Streets. He gave an observatory to DePauw University that still bears his name.
Kathy Pitman and husband Bruce Pitman came to Madison from their home in Moscow, Idaho, to visit and meet with us to see progress and learn more about Robert McKim. Kathy had lived in Madison and taught at the Junior High for 2 years. She attended Trinity and had family married at Trinity. They would always visit the stained glass window bearing the McKim name.
They were heartbroken at the devastation of the fire but were very pleased with the progress we have made and the assurance of our rebuilding plans.
The McKim house is owned by Graham and Carolyn -Cooke- Thieman who graciously opened their home for the Pitmans to tour for the first time. Graham and Carolyn have renovated their home to its original interior appearance and it was a moving moment for Kathy to see what her ancestor saw.
We presented Kathy with a copy of the book “In Memory” A Tribute of Love, written by daughters Jennie and Maggie. We also presented Kathy with a copy of a sketch of Robert McKim.
Kathy plans on continuing to visit Madison and will follow us in our rebuilding efforts. She will share her findings of Robert McKim’s life from information she has gathered visiting his home in Ireland.”
-:-:-:-:-:-
Please continue to pray for the Trinity UMC congregation and the Rebuild Project and if you are able, please donate online or send a check to Trinity UMC, 412 West Main Street, Madison, IN 47250 and write “Rebuild Fund” in the memo line. You will get a letter from us for your taxes.
-:-:-:-:-:-
Join us for Sunday worship at 10 am at North Madison United Methodist Church, 2235 Allen Street, Madison IN 47250.
or on Facebook Live or the radio WORX 96.7 FM and WXGO 1270 AM.
God bless you!
Pastor Catherine and the Rebuild Committee. ❤️🙏🏻☮️
