TRINITY'S HISTORY
Occasional worship services were held in homes beginning around 1870. In 1874, the Norwegians bought a half interest in the German Lutheran building. Services were held in the afternoons so the pastor from New Hope could travel on horseback. The church constitution and by-laws were written in 1889. A lot was purchased on the corner of Strongs and Brawley with funds primarily provided by the Ladies' Aid and Girls' Club. On March 20, 1898, the name of the congregation was legally changed to Trinity Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. At the same meeting it was voted to build a new church. The cornerstone was laid on September 25, 1898, and the new church was dedicated on October 13, 1901. Most sermons were in Norwegian. In 1905, the church records were changed to English and in 1912, it was voted to have all services in English. A house near the church was purchased in 1914 for a parsonage.
To correct the idea that Trinity was exclusively a Norwegian church, the congregation changed its name to First English Lutheran in 1928. In 1938, two worship services were needed. In 1943, lots on Clark and Rogers Streets, where our present church is now located were purchased. The name of the church was changed back to Trinity Lutheran in 1949. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on September 7, 1952. Most evenings and every weekend members helped with the actual labor of completing the church building. The new building was dedicated on May 24, 1953. The Breitenstein Apartment Building was purchased in 1960 and used to accommodate Trinity's growing educational needs.
The Pine Street property was acquired in 1969 for future parking lot expansion. A remodeling project, which included turning the sanctuary around, was completed in 1970.
In 1982, the Facilities Task Force recommended property changes and the "Building for Mission" construction program was instituted. This included demolition of the Education Annex to replace the lost parking spaces used for the building expansion. Rededication of the remodeled building took place on September 13, 1987. The mortgage from this project was burned in 1998.
A year-long celebration of Trinity's 125th Anniversary took place in 1999. Gil Halverson, Visitation Pastor at that time wrote, "Trinity's 125 years of grace can only provoke the most heartfelt thanks to God who has been our help in ages past and our hope for years to come. Soli Deo Gloria! (To God alone be the glory!)"
Trinity began its commitment to global mission through the ELCA Mission Sponsorship program in 1982. We currently are sponsors for Peter and Sarah Grow-Hanson in Senegal.
Trinity is a leader in addressing hunger issues, both locally and globally. Members bring in groceries for Operation Bootstrap, the Salvation Army and Mobile Food Pantry. Proceeds from various meals are donated to these organizations. "Plant A Row for the Hungry" is also supported. Donations to ELCA World Hunger are a high priority and are made by the congregation and individual members.