HOW TRIUMPH CHURCH BEGAN

In the summer of 1951, a youth group from Calvary Tabernacle in Indianapolis began holding street meetings Greenwood as part of their summer outreach. The uplifting music and anointed singing always drew such a large crowd that the group kept returning week after week, and the crowds grew larger. The interest was so great that Rev. Nathaniel A. Urshan, pastor of Calvary Tabernacle, secured permission from the city to hold tent meetings in the old City Park. (The tent was placed where the Greenwood Public Library now stands on Meridian Street.)

When inclement weather prevented holding church outdoors, cottage meetings were held in the home of one of the regular worshippers. Two men from Calvary Tabernacle (Alvin Fleming and Henry Gilley) briefly led the group of new converts that had been given the name “Calvary Apostolic Church” by Pastor Urshan. Later that year, Rev. Nathaniel Urshan asked Rev. L. William Schmidt and his wife, Faith (Urshan) Schmidt, to take the church temporarily until a pastor could be sent. After seven years of hard work, Rev. L. William Schmidt was officially installed as pastor.

By 1952 the worshippers had outgrown the house, so an old barn at 206 S. Washington in Greenwood (current site of the Greenwood Central Fire Station) was rented and converted into a chapel. When the church became packed to capacity, larger facilities were sought. In the spring of 1954, nearly two acres were purchased for $2,000 on the west side of U.S. 31 at Main Street where Calvary Apostolic intended, eventually, to build a small, white-frame church. When the Greenwood Planning Commission denied permission to build on the property, the church sold the land. Later, they realized that God's hand had been at work in the matter when it was discovered that the back half of the property was quicksand.

Calvary Apostolic continued worshipping in the converted barn until 1956 when a house at 101 E. Pearl Street was purchased and converted into a two-story church with a basement hand dug by Pastor William Schmidt and Jim Pugh. Before long, it became necessary to add an addition to the rear of the building. Shortly after the expansion, Bro. Schmidt became a full-time pastor. Growing steadily, the Pearl Street church soon reached capacity. The church faced the decision of adding on to the existing building or building a new church again. During his morning prayers, Rev. Schmidt was impressed by the Lord to pay off the building and all debts. He didn't know why, yet, but within a few months, he had alleviated the church's indebtedness. A mortgage-burning ceremony was held May 28, 1965.

Soon afterward, the Greenwood Methodist Church announced that its building on the corner of Broadway and Brewer Streets was for sale. Pastor Schmidt felt that it was what God had prepared the church for and purchased the building on July 28, 1965. The Pearl Street building became the parsonage when the new church was purchased. Dedication of the new building and commemoration of Calvary Apostolic's 15th anniversary was held June 3, 1966. The three-day celebration included Revs. N. J. Bibbs, Nathaniel A. Urshan, William Cole and Rev. Hugh Rose with the Harvestime Choir.

Pastor L. William Schmidt nourished the church until 1971 when he felt it was the Lord's will to accept the Pastorate of the United Pentecostal Church in Marion, IN. Calvary Apostolic elected and installed his son, Rev. Stephen A. Schmidt, on Sunday, March 28, 1971.

Throughout the years, Pastor Stephen Schmidt has emphasized more spiritual growth and maturity than numerical growth. In-depth, verse-by-verse studies of books of the Bible have illuminated the scriptures and made God's Word real and applicable to modern lives. He encourages members to set aside traditions and search the scriptures for a first-hand understanding of the Bible.

In 1995, the church’s name was changed to Triumph Church.

After Pastor Stephen Schmidt graduated from law school and passed the Indiana Bar, he wanted to realize one of his life’s goals and enter the practice of law. The congregation elected his son, Rev. Trent S. Schmidt, to assume the pastorate. In August 2007, Pastor Trent resigned in order to follow his dream of serving in the United States Military. Rev. Stephen Schmidt was again called upon to return to the pulpit, and the congregation again unanimously voted approval.

The future of Triumph Church, just like its past, is in God's hands. What steps to take and what decisions to make will be sought of the Lord. It is the church's goal to let the world see His beauty and love through them as His work is done. As the scripture says, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14.

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHURCH BUILDING

The Triumph Church building is a reflection of the Love of God one feels upon entering. As John Stewart Detlie said, "Religious buildings must be built from the inside out, and in this sense the inside means the spirit."

The lot on which the Triumph Church stands was purchased for $300 by the Greenwood Methodist Church, and construction began in 1887. When completed, it was the largest church in Greenwood and was described as “…a beautiful Gothic structure which could comfortably accommodate 700 people.” The completed house of worship cost the Methodists $7,000.

In 1913 the first remodeling project included installation of electricity, angling of the sanctuary floor, and installation of the memorial windows. Every stained glass window is a memorial to families or groups. The round windows above the sanctuary weigh approximately two tons. The north round window with the open Bible is for the Sunday School Department, the south window depicting a crown with a cross memorializes the Methodist’s Ladies Aid Society, and the west window represents the young people's group which the Methodists called the Epworth League. The initials of those groups are incorporated into the window design. Unfortunately, only a few names remain on the tall arch windows since the departing Methodist members wished to take the name plates with them. In the area which is now the Prayer Room there are still panes which display the names of Methodist members who could not remove the plate without destroying or defacing the window.

The first annex was built in 1922 to the east (behind the platform area) of the building and included approximately six Sunday School rooms on the ground level, a kitchen, dining room and restrooms in the basement. The total cost of this project was $8,000.

The first major remodeling job done on the original auditorium began in 1937 and finished in 1938. One of the most dramatic additions was the extension of the west gable to form a balcony over the Epworth League room. The bell tower housing the original bell purchased in 1881 was rebuilt and lowered by five feet. The next major expansion came in 1952-53 when the educational wing was built to the south of the sanctuary.

By 1964,the Methodists had outgrown the building. They sold it on July 28, 1965, to Rev. L. William Schmidt, Pastor of the Calvary Apostolic Church. In addition to many repairs, artist Al Hassel painted the name "Jesus" above the middle arch of the sanctuary and also painted the outstretched Lord's hands with scriptures in the palms on the front wall.

In 1974 with Rev. Stephen A. Schmidt as pastor, the Sunday School rooms in the 1922 annex were converted into one large prayer room. At the start of the project when Robert Burton, Jr., a General Motors Pattern Maker, and Robert McCormick, an HVAC technician, were laid off from their regular jobs, they began full-time work on the project. After a year, the remodeling was completed and dedicated June 15, 1975. Within days of finishing the work, both men were called back to their jobs. Neither man had been laid off before the endeavor and neither have been laid off since. Both are now retired.

In 1991, an overall renovation took place including installation of a new roof. Ceilings, walls and wood trim were refinished. Electrical wiring, circuits, and light fixtures rewired. New carpeting was installed and a cleaning of artwork and stained glass windows was accomplished. The original 1887 pews were stripped, refinished, and upholstered. All of the painting was done by Rev. Schmidt, who had to overcome his fear of heights to paint the ceiling and walls. The then-church secretary, Eve Burton, cleaned, repaired and touched up the cross painted on the ceiling, the name "Jesus" above the arches, and also repainted the lettering in the platform panels. 

Pastor Schmidt has expanded the church's holdings by purchasing property along Broadway Street to enlarge the church parking lot.

Triumph Church stands today as a monument to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.