Our History


+ Trinity Lutheran Church - Historical Summary

- In November 1939, Pastor Leo Fenske helped 50 charter members organize Trinity Lutheran Church. He served as their pastor while also serving Mount Hope in Kinnear.

- Two lots of land at 5th and Park were purchased in January 1942. In March 1944, construction was started on the church basement which served as the chapel until the entire building could be completed. The basement chapel was dedicated on August 13, 1944.

- The main level sanctuary, narthex, and pastor's office were built later. A local architect designed the building, and the members volunteered countless hours to complete it. The finished church building was dedicated on November 13, 1949.

- The large brick Educational Building was dedicated on February 11, 1962. This building served as a much-needed facility for the Sunday School and was also used by the other auxiliary organizations of the church. It was in this building that Trinity Lutheran started a kindergarten in 1966. This ended in 1971 when the public school system offered kindergarten.

- In 1971, property was purchased for the construction of a new parsonage. Construction began in the late summer of 1974 and it was dedicated on May 4, 1975. The parsonage is located a block and a half east of the church at 610 E. Park Avenue.

- In April of 1977, a Building Committee was appointed to draw up plans for an addition to the church. Work was started on May 22, 1979 with the demolition of the old church narthex. The first addition was dedicated on December 2, 1979. This addition included a balcony choir loft as well as a room for young children, and two restrooms. The main entry of the church was moved from its original location on Park Avenue to its current 5th Street location.

- In 1982, local artist Marta Amundson was commissioned to design and create the stained glass windows that line both sides of the sanctuary. Trinity members purchased individual windows in memory of loved ones. The windows were dedicated on October 24, 1982.

- In 1986, the congregation made plans to complete a second addition to the church building. This addition involved the construction of a new narthex, offices, and a connecting hallway between the church and Educational Building. Electric lifts were installed for access to the church sanctuary as well as the basement of the Educational Building. The second addition was dedicated on January 4, 1987.

- In 1991, the congregation voted to expand the Christian Day School through eighth grade, and Trinity Lutheran School was established. The old garage that was behind the original parsonage was remodeled into two classrooms in 1996. The school expanded once again to include the Martha Korell building, which was dedicated September 9, 2007.

- The congregation purchased and installed a new pipe organ in September 2006. The organ console is in the balcony, and the pipes are at the front of the church above the altar.

+ Pastors of Trinity Lutheran Church

1939-1941: Rev Leo Fenske

1941-1947: Rev Walter Haag

1948-1958: Rev Edward Schmidt

1959-1968: Rev Richard Riess

1968-1983: Rev Robert Oberheu

1984-1987: Rev Mark Peters

1988-1991: Rev Donald Fus

1991-1999: Rev Marlin Rempfer

1996-1997: Rev Donald Browne (Associate Pastor)

1998-2004: Rev Daniel Praeuner

1999-2003: Rev Bret Schroeder (Associate Pastor)

2005-2016: Rev David Magruder

2007-2019: Rev Vernon Boehlke (Visitation Pastor)

2017-2024: Rev Mark Mumme

2024-Current: Rev. Stephen Kieser

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