A Brief History of
Trinity Lutheran Church
[This is what I have so far.]
The history of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church begins with the
summer
of 1923. But even before that time, work had been done in Creston
by
the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Missouri, Ohio, and other States
(now
the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod). Almost forty-five years
before
the beginning of pastoral work which led to the formation of our
congregation,
mission work was begun in Creston. On February 4, 1878, the Rev.
C.F.W.
Brandt and nine Creston families adopted the first constitution and
formed
the congregation of St. John’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church of
the
Unaltered Augsburg Confession. This small group immediately
planned
the erection of a church edifice and were able to dedicate the
completed
building on August 11, 1928. One year later the congregation was
re-organized
as St. John’s Evangelical Church severed its ties with the Evangelical
Lutheran
Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, and has since become St.
John’s
Evangelical and Reformed, and most recently St. John’s United Church of
Christ,
located in the southern part of Creston.
The actual beginnings of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church can be
traced
to the summer of 1923. During July of that year, the Rev. F.
Starke,
then pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield, conducted a
worship
service in the home of Otto Gaidies, 405 South Division. He
continued
to hold worship services there every second Sunday until November 1924.
In November 1924, the Rev. Otto Lossner, formerly of Charter Oak,
arrived
to conduct a mission survey of Creston and surrounding areas. In
May
1925, Rev. Lossner was installed as pastor of the small Lutheran
mission
which had been able to begin. From 1914 to 1928, the mission
congregation
worshiped in a variety of locations: the old Assembly of God church at
Mills
and Vine Streets. Potter Post Hall, the Gospel Mission hall which
was
later used by the Salvation Army, the former Christian Church, and the
pastor’s
home at 1002 West Montgomery.
On October 17, 1926, the congregation was formally organized with the
name
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg
Confession
of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other
States.
The first trustees and elders of the congregation were: Otto J.
Gaidies,
Emil J. Gaidies, and Ed Knauer. Reinhold Schlepp was chosen
secretary-treasurer.
A.D. Schlepp and John Schowalter were the only other charter
members.
On January 3, 1928, the congregation was incorporated under the laws of
the
State of Iowa. Later that year, the congregation was received as
a
member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other
States.
The congregation purchased its first building from St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church.
The building was moved to a location on Broad Street between Jefferson
and
Adams Streets. The building, of frame construction, was destroyed
in
an early morning fire on March 29, 1952. The fire gutted the
chancel
area of the building, with serious damage to the remainder of the
structure.
One week after the fire, the congregation decided to relocate and
rebuild.
At that time the congregation numbered about 100 members. The
burned-out
church building was torn down and the property was sold. A
private
dwelling now stands upon the site.
Following the fire, the congregation met for worship in a variety of
locations,
including the Deitrick and Keating Funeral Home and at the public
library
clubrooms.
Property upon which to build a new church building was a the northwest
corner
of Spencer and Sumner streets. Construction began on June 30,
1953,
and the cornerstone was laid on September 27, 1953. The new
church
was dedicated on March 28, 1954, one day short of two years since fire
had
destroyed the first building. The new church cost $60,000 to
build,
and seated 138 persons. At the time of dedication, the membership
of
the congregation had grown to 146 baptized. The erection of the
new
building was made possible through a loan from the Church Extension
Fund
of the Iowa District West of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
In cooperation with the Mission Board of Iowa District West, Trinity
Evangelical
Lutheran Church began broadcasting The Word for Today on KSIB during
October
1955. The Word for Today is heard every Monday through Friday at
7:50
a.m. on KSIB (1520-AM). It can also be heard on 101.3 FM.
In 1958 a new parsonage was constructed and dedicated. It is
located west of the church.
Growth continued to be the pattern of Trinity’s history under God’s
grace
and blessing. In May 1961, ground was broken for a major addition
to
the church. The addition would provide additional seating space
in
the nave, an office for the pastor, a nursery/classroom, additional
classroom
space, and a new kitchen. The addition was dedicated on December
3,
1961. At that time four acres north of the church, new chancel
furniture,
and a new organ were dedicated. At the time of dedication, the
membership
of the congregation was 287 baptized.
Although the congregation for many years was financially subsidized as
a
mission congregation of the Iowa District West, the congregation became
self-supporting
in 1968. In 1976, the congregation became debt-free. By
that
time a building fund had already been established for the erection of a
more
adequate facility.
[In 1989 planning began on building a separate building that would
include
a new kitchen, fellowship area and more classrooms. On May 13,
1990
the congregation broke ground and the new Fellowship Hall was dedicated
on
September 30 of that year.]
On January 3, 1978, our original articles of incorporation expired and
the
congregation was re-incorporated with the name of Trinity Evangelical
Lutheran
Church, Creston, Iowa. As we celebrated our 50th Anniversary on
June 18, 1978, our membership was 332 communicants, 462 baptized.
God’s
blessing and grace remain with us through the means of Grace, His Word
and
Sacraments. Through them He works within us and through us so
that
we continue to Grow in Christ.
During its lifetime, Trinity has been served by 15 pastors of its own
and
several vacancy pastors. Trinity has also been served by many,
many
lay leaders who have made the Lord’s work their own. Their
service
detailed in our anniversary yearbook and again is mentioned here with
thanksgiving
to God for all of them. As we celebrate 75 Years of Praise, we
also
say: “To God be the glory! Great things he has done!”