Trinity Lutheran Church, Hinton celebrates 125 years

Trinity Lutheran Church at the corner of C-60 and Lake Avenue east of Hinton, will celebrate its 125th anniversary with special activities Sunday July 25. The church is affiliated with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The brick church is the third building the congregation has worshipped in in its 125 year history. [Click to enlarge]

The Rev. Steven Stoll, who has served the congregation for two years, is looking forward to Sunday's activities.

"Our members have been working for more than a year on plans for the celebration," Stoll said.

A barn quilt, "Crown of Thorns" hangs on a former barn on the Trinity Lutheran Church grounds at rural Hiinton. The barn quilt, given by the Lincoln Toppers 4-H Club, will be dedicated in 1:30 p.m. ceremony Sunday during 125th anniversary activities at the church. [Click to enlarge]

Those attending Sunday's service and activities may come by various modes of transportation, such as vintage and classic cars, collectible tractors, and perhaps even a horse and buggy.

There will be a special parking area for those vehicles.

"We invite everyone to come by any means feasible," Stoll said.

Those attending may dress in clothing that reflects any decade from 1885-2010.

That may include suspenders and hats, long dresses and bonnets, or jeans and dresses.

Guest speaker for the 9:30 a.m. worship service is the Rev. Brian Saunders, a son of the congregation. His parents are Evelyn and Sam Saunders.

Saunders serves as Iowa District East President for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, where he oversees and cares for congregations of the East District.

A BBQ potluck dinner will follow the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The BBQ is a gift of Stoll and his wife, Paula. The couple started the BBQ meal tradition with mesquite-smoked meat, and Paula's barbecue sauce. Members bring potluck dishes to share.

On the church lawn, a buggy holds a sign proclaiming the congregation's 125th year.

The small barn/garage east of the church and parsonage displays a special gift to the congregation, a barn quilt.

The barn quilt will be dedicated at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

The pattern, "Crown of Thorns" is fitting for the church, said Stoll.

"With barn quilts in the area the suggestion was made that maybe we could have one," Stoll said.

The gift comes from the Lincoln Toppers 4-H Club, which regularly holds its meetings at the church.

"The club's leaders as well as some members, attend Trinity," Stoll said. "The club decided to make the barn quilt as a service project for the church."

The afternoon's activities continue with contests, games and fellowship starting at 2 p.m.

Stoll expects some old-fashioned games, which may involve tossing, spitting and eating, for young and old, to be played.

Contests may include the search for the rusty tractor, oldest tractor, the family which traveled the farthest distance to attend, and period attire.

Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in the spring of 1885, when elders decided to call a minister from Illinois.

The first pastor was the Rev. J.W. Lehr, who lived in a parsonage owned by Freidrich Muecke and rented to the congregation for $25 a year.

The first church a white frame building, was constructed in 1886. In 1894, a school house was built, where young people received religious education.

Students left public school for one year to take religious instruction, which was in German.

Under the leadership of the Rev. William Marth, a new larger church was built in 1911.

The white frame building was constructed at a cost of $7,854, and dedicated in September 1911. A full basement was added to the church in 1922.

In 1925, Trinity officially became a part of the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states.

A new parsonage was built in 1928, and is still used today.

A building fund for a new, larger church was started in 1947, with construction started in 1951. Dedication was held in October 1954.

The old frame church building was moved to Merrill, where it serves as the home of St. John Lutheran Church.

Through the years, improvements have continued to be made to the church proper, the parsonage and cemetery.

The congregation also was instrumental in the start of two other Missouri Synod Lutheran congregations.

Several families from Trinity became a part of First Lutheran Church in Kingsley which was started in 1936 with the Rev. R.J. Torgler conducting services.

The second congregation, Grace Lutheran in Le Mars, was started when the Rev. H.D. Stahmer of Trinity Lutheran began a preaching ministry in Le Mars in 1942.

Again, several Trinity families became a part of that congregation.

Today, the congregation has about 310 members, according to Stoll.

Irma Luksan, Mildred Lang, Iona Trometer, and Cora and Carl Stoltze are listed as the oldest members of the congregation.

All are 90 years of age or older. Luksan will turn 97 in October.

There are a number of active organizations in the congregation including the Ladies Aid, the Miriam and Rebecca women's Bible circles; a choir; a high school youth group and the Junior Uth; and the quilters.

"Our members are also involved in ministries outside of the local church," said Paula Stoll.

She cited the Lamplighters, which provide devotions at local care centers; the Lutheran Hour Ministries; the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and Camp Okoboji.

"You will also see a lot of our members at community activities," said Stoll. "They are active participants in the community and support one another when the need arises."

"There are wonderful people here," his wife added. "They rely on each other and they are there for each other."

The members hope to keep the traditions and memories of their past alive.

This Sunday's celebration is the second of three the congregation has planned for 2010.

In April, the congregation held a Mission Sunday, which included visiting pastors. On Sunday, Sept. 19, they will hold special services at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz as guest speaker. A catered broasted pork chop dinner is also planned. Tickets for the Sept. 19 dinner are now on sale.

This Sunday, a collection of confirmation photos and aerial pictures of the church property will be on display.

Stoll said a video of the moving of the church building to Merrill will be shown this Sunday as well. The congregation has also put together a new church directory.

"We plan to take video of Sunday's activities, combine it with the church-moving video, as well as other events, and put together a commemorative DVD," Stoll said.

Another tradition is kept alive with a 125th anniversary cookbook, "God's Daily Bread," compiled by the Trinity Lutheran Church Ladies Aid.

"The cookbook is a combination of recipes from previous cookbooks and current favorites.

One of the banners which will hang in the sanctuary this Sunday reflects the feelings of congregation members: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12.

The church is located east of Hinton at 29014 Lake Ave., at the intersection with C-60.