Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation By Rev. H. Wilkins, Pastor The history of the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church, of Grand Island, Nebraska, dates back as far as the early seventies of the last century. A number of Lutheran families had settled in Hall, Howard and Merrick counties. They were first taken care of by itinerant missionaries of the Missouri synod. Services were held here and there in the homes of the people. In January, 1878, the Trinity congregation was organized, and in the same year a church was erected in Grand Island, then a mere village. The beginning of the congregation was very small. Its members were few and poor, and the obstacles to overcome were many and great. But the Word of God proved again that it is a power unto salvation. Under the faithful care of its pastors the small band gradually grew. One member after the other was added to it. In the year 1893 the old church was found to be unable to hold the large number of worshippers. The congregation resolved to erect a new and substantial building, the present church, standing at the corner of Vine and Second streets. In the fall of 1895 it was dedicated to the service of the Triune God. It has a seating capacity of about five hundred, contains a beautiful pipe organ, the first ever installed in the city of Grand Island, and three bells in its tower. From the very beginning the members of Trinity church felt it their duty to not only care for their own souls, but as well for the spiritual welfare of their children. They realized that a Sunday school, or in other words, that one hour a week of religious instruction, would not suffice. In order to give their children a thorough religious education they erected a parochial school, and were ever ready to bring great sacrifices to maintain it. The school became a strong factor in the development of the congregation. The property of the congregation at the present time has an approximate value of over $15,000, and is absolutely free from all encumbrance. In the course of years (until 1918) 1320 children received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism; 433 were confirmed; 224 couples were joined in holy wedlock, and 187 were laid to rest, to await the call of their Lord and Redeemer at the last great day of resurrection. The congregation in 1918 has 72 voting members, 285 communicants and 468 souls. The following ministers have served this congregation in the course of years: A. Laeuthaeuser, H. Jahn, A. Baumhoefener, F. Ratherd, P. Matuschka, and H. Wilkens, the present pastor since 1903. The voting members are: the families of J. Shinke., H. Ernstmeyer, R. Siebert, J. Willers, Fr. Ernstmeyer, L. Stallman, E. Kral, W. Scheffel, Fr. Kutschat, C. Dill, G. Schroeder, J. Dahike, C. Dahms, Fr. Meyer, H. Witzke, H. Pauly, E. Lamm, Th. Buenger, H. Schoenberg, W. Krause, O. Wetzel, W. Sosenkoetter, H. Schroeder, O. Schmidt, H. Werner, C. Koehn, G. Roesch, T. Schwynn, P. Hermann, W. Vortman, H. Lagenheder, A. Quandt, C. Rosenkoetter, C. Meyer, H. Meyer, G. Mildenstein, H. Trampe, C. Wetzel, Fr. Bartels, W. Hilmer, J. Seims, C. Kruse, W. Werner, W. Pollock, W. Leppin, L. Zuehlke, Fr. Mettinbrink, R. Reher, A. Schuessler, C. Scherer, H. Koehn, W. Langenheder, H. Sommer, E. Schinkel, H. Nobbman, F. Scherer, H. Krusenmark, E. Schuessler, H. Rosenkoetter, C. Bartelt, H. Ruff, H. Moeller, E. Liedtke, J. Langenheder, W. Schmidt, C. Schoeffel, G. Kaier, H. Windolph, W. Kuers, E. Nitschke, Rev. H. Wilkens, Prof. P. Becker. J. Schinkel is the last charter member with the congregation, the others have either moved away, or as we fervently hope and believe, have come to their reward as faithful servants of their Lord. The other members are the following and families: K. Meyer, H. Floerke, E. Kroeeger, L. Scheil, E. Meyer, A. Scheibel, H. Scheibel, G. Duenermann, H. VonOhlen, B. Fischer, Fr. Nowack, Mrs. F. Schlottfeldt, Mrs.R. Rickert, Mrs. F. Thomas, Mrs. F. Gole, Mrs. J. Windolph, Fr. Schoeneberg, C. Seims, H. Sotinbeck, W. Meissner, F. Heider, A. Krieger, R. Lucas, W. Riege, A. Schoreder, Mrs. Bredemeyer, Mrs. Stobbe, Mrs. J. Peters, Mrs. G. Wenrer, Mrs. L. Bowers, Mrs. C. Cantreel, Mrs. L. Otto, Mrs. Travis, Mrs. G. Madeke, Mrs, W. Milz, Mrs. J. Geisinger, Mrs. H. Guelzow, Mrs. J. Rauert, Mrs. J. Niemoth, Mrs, D. Liedtke, Mrs. E. Masten, Mrs. Einfeldt, Mrs. H. Koch, Mrs. C. Ericksen, Mrs. W. Crutin, Mrs. Pauly, Mrs. R. Vetter, C. Tuenge and W. Ernst.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 06:40:11 +0000
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