Trinity Lutheran Church - Wellsville, Missouri

1879 To Present

January 2nd, 1879 - Trinity Lutheran Congregation was organized by the following four members: C. Luehwesmann, Wm. Flottmann, George Young, Fred Freie and their respective families. The following families joined within the next six months: Fred Vedder, John Gronewald, Martin Klingelhoefer, Fred Bentfeld, Edwin Burkhalter, Matthias Tanner, John Rieper, Wm. Schramm, Jacob Clay, and John Schewendker.

April 26th, 1885- Dedication of the new German Lutheran Church building near Wellsville was held with German Services at 9 a.m., English Services at 2 p.m. and German Services again at 7:30 p.m.

October 13th, 1886- Trinity Congregation was accepted as a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (Western District, later called Missouri District).

1889- Wilhemina Schramm (widow of William Schramm) deeded the tract of land to the congregation.

Prior to 1890- A two story frame home was built to serve as parsonage. This was remodeled several times and served as parsonage until 1946.

1904- 25th Anniversary of Congregation

1909-1915- Christian day school was taught in German in mornings and English in afternoons 4 days a week.

1910- The frame school building was built for parochial school which was held five days a week during 1915-1924.

1916 and prior years- Sunday school was held in German after the singing of the hymn following the sermon as a mixed class for the parochial school children. English language service was held once a month on the fourth Sunday.

1917- Due to social pressure brought about by World War I, the congregation voted to have only one German Service a month.

January 1919- Sunday School was first organized by Rev. Martin O. Mueller with classes being held prior to service until 1924.

1919- 40th Anniversary of the Congregation; all former confirmants were invited for a celebration.

1919-1924- German Services were held twice a month, then once per month beginning in 1924.

1924- Parochial school was discontinued when Rev. Gehrke left. Saturday School replaced the Christian Day School, the Pastor taught all ages of children as one group.

Fall 1924- Younger members of Trinity, under the leadership of Rev. A.C. Wunderlich organized the Young Peoples Society (Y.P.S.) which grew to a membership of 35.

July 15th, 1928- The Trinity Ladies Aid was organized at the church parsonage with 7 members present: Mrs. William Blaue, President; Mrs. Ed. F. Kleinsorge, Vice-President; Mrs. A.C. Wunderlich, Secretary-Treasurer.

1924-1936- Sunday school was held after regular services with children divided into separate classes by age.

May 5th, 1929- The 50th anniversary was observed with dedication of a new reed organ with gilded pipes. This organ replaced the old one which had served the congregation for 38 years. Dedication of the new organ was by Rev. A.C. Wunderlich, church pastor. The church choir rendered several songs. The morning service message based on Psalm 80:15-16 was delivered by Dr. E. Eckhardt of St. Louis. It was a rainy day, but the weather cleared for a basket dinner to be served "in the open air." The Rev. Carl Hoeh, former pastor, delivered the afternoon sermon based on Psalm 87.

1934- All services were held in English, although the pastor went to a few homes and gave a short German sermon and communion.

1937- A Bible class for adults was introduced. Sunday School was held on one side of the church, while Bible class for adults met on the other.

1938- Y.P.S. reorganized under the leadership of Rev. W. Maring.

April 13th, 1945- A very sad day for the Trinity Congregation when their church, which was built in 1884, was struck by lightening and burned. Services were held in the Community Hall at Wellsville. Indecision threatened the Congregation and its Pastor, Rev. Maring, for a long time over the matter of rebuilding its church at the former location or relocating in town. The vote was a tie.

February 2nd, 1947- A peaceable separation took place and the "Grace Lutheran" congregation was formed in the town of Wellsville.

March 23rd, 1947- The Ladies Aid was reorganized with nine members present. The following offers were elected: Mrs. Ed. Kleinsorge, President; Mrs. Fred Nagel, Vice-President; and Mrs. Albert Kleinsorge, Secretary-Treasurer.

August 21st, 1949- The present church building of red tile construction was dedicated in the regular morning service by the pastor, Rev. Julius Schabacker.

1949- With the building of the new church, Sunday School classes were held in the basement with Adult Bible class being held in the sanctuary.

1950- The Ladies Aid decided to give all newly married couples of the congregation a religious picture. This tradition is carried on today.

1951- A new Wurlitzer organ was purchased for the church.

May 16th, 1954- The Trinity Congregation celebrated its "Diamond Jubilee--Seventy-five years of Grace" with a full day of praise and fellowship. Rev. E.C. Hofius, a former pastor of the congregation, delivered the morning sermon with Rev. Lewis J. Laufer as Officiate. A basket dinner was served in the church basement at noon. Dr. A.C. Mueller, son of former Pastor G.J. Mueller, delivered the afternoon sermon. Student William Newton was Officiate at the afternoon service.

September 1954- Rev. Edwin Bek reorganized Saturday School. Lay teachers taught classes for lower grades and he taught grade 7 and 8.

1955- The Ladies Aid members joined the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, of which our members are still active today.

1956- The first Ice Cream Social was sponsored by the Ladies Aid.

1956- Under the leadership of Rev. Edwin C. Bek the youth organized the Walther League.

September 1956- A special meeting was held and it was voted to build a new parsonage; a three bedroom ranch style with a full basement and single car garage.

January 1957- Voted to dig well for church & parsonage.

October 1957- The new parsonage was dedicated.

1957- Congregation gave the school house to the Walther League and the members remodeled the building.

January 7th, 1968- Voted unanimously to allow male members of the congregation, reaching the age of 18, instead of 21, to become voting members.

June 1970- Sunday School and Bible Class was held after regular church services during the month of June as a trial.

January 1971- The area behind the alter received wood paneling.

1971- The youth building was remodeled by youth, parents, and counselors by adding tile floor, tile ceiling, new lighting, and paneling.

May 1972- The Hammond organ was purchased.

1973- An endowment fund for care of the cemetery was established.

October 19th, 1975- Voted to change Article VI allowing women to become voting members.

March 8th, 1976- Leroy Biesenthal, Director of Stewardship and Evangelism, spoke to the congregation. Trinity began evangelizing through booths and floats at the Montgomery County Fair as well as the Middletown Picnic, winning numerous prizes for their hard work.

1976- The Trinity Lutheran Cemetery Association was founded.

1976-1991- VBS was held annually for one week from 7-9 p.m. during June with worship, Bible study, crafts, and music for the children. A Bible study for adults was held in conjunction with VBS.

Fall 1977- Mrs. Leola Martens donated two church signs, one located on Highway CC and the other on Highway A. Mr. Charles Nothaker continued building shelves and cabinets to hold the church banners and other supplies.

January 1978- Received alter cloths from St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Thornton, Illinois.

June 10th, 1979- Trinity Congregation celebrated 100 years of God's Grace with a centennial year celebration. It was a special day of praise and Thanksgiving for past blessings. Pastor Edwin C. Bek, a former pastor of the Congregation, was the morning speaker. Missouri District President Rev. Paul Spitz was the afternoon speaker. "Today's Farmer," MFA magazine, featured an article on Trinity's Centennial, approximately 300 people attended the celebration.

October 1979- Walther League was changed to the Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF).

January 1981- Young married couples began to organize with Charles Carpet as their advisor.

Spring 1981- Pastor and Mrs. Oesch completed the translation of the German record book.

October 1981- The Charles Nothaker family made alter chairs for the church and dedicated them in memory of their family members. Richard and Alice Mayer made the cushions for the chairs.

1982- Trinity accepted the electric candelabras as a gift from Trinity Lutheran Church in Minnesota.

April 1983- Annadell Kleinsorge recorded cemetery stones for the Montgomery County Historical Society.

May 12th, 1985- The missal stand and four alter books were purchased and dedicated in memory of Doris Hunn.

May 24th, 1987- Trinity Congregation celebrated Pastor Oesch's 60th year anniversary in the Lutheran Ministry.

August 27th, 1989- Pastor Oesch's Farewell Sermon.

1989- The communion set was dedicated in memory of George Kolling.

Summer of 1991- The Hammond organ was purchased and dedicated as well as three ceiling fans for use in the sanctuary.

Spring/Summer 1995- Trinity became handicap accessible as a carpeted metal ramp was built and placed at the front doors of the church.

June 1st, 1996- Saturday night services were held, alternating with Grace, from June 1st to the last Saturday night in August.

April 27th, 1997- Celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod with a basket dinner immediately following the service.

April 26th, 1998- A Dedication service was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone.

October 1998- Concrete was poured for a ramp and new sidewalk making the basement handicap accessible. Metal steps were also placed at the back door for access to the Pastor's office.

August 22nd, 1999- 50th anniversary celebration of the current church building, August 21st was the original dedication date.

June 6th, 2004- 125th Anniversary Celebration.

2005- Refinished hardwood floors and pews.

2006- Installation of new heating & cooling system, donated by Jim Neidershulte.

November 2007- Launched the Trinity Lutheran Website.




Updated: June 9, 2008 - Trinity Lutheran Church - Wellsville, Missouri - Contact Us