The History of Trinity

Trinity is a congregation that for over 150 years, still celebrates and lives for Jesus!

Trinity was first organized as a congregation on November 6, 1871. It was called the "German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Akron - Town of Newstead." Pastor Ernest Heydler was called to serve as the first pastor, and served from 1872-73. Worship services were held every two weeks, with about 44 communing members.

Our first church building was completed in 1876, located across South Newstead Road from our current location. Prior to this, members met in various locations. The horse and buggy sheds were added in 1885, and a church tower was added in 1931. In 1949, due to the need for more room - especially Sunday school rooms - the church was remodeled. Before this, the students actually met in the furnace room around a card table.

The Reverend Robert W. Kelley became Trinity's first full time pastor in 1960.

Trinity began as a German-speaking people, offering worship services in the German language, a feature of worship at Trinity for the first 80-90 years of its existence, up to the 1960s!

The current church structure was built and dedicated in 1969. An expanded narthex was constructed in in 1989, adding a new entrance and elevator, making the church more accessible. New classrooms, a prayer room and a historical room were also added. The copper dome from the old church was reconditioned and raised onto the entrance of Trinity's tower, though it didn't last long as the structure rapidly deteriorated.

In 1986, Trinity celebrated its 115th anniversary with a dinner dance at the Newstead Fire Hall. 300 members and friends attended. Sharon Schmidt presented three sketches of the buildings of Trinity at each different stage. Trinity also held its first Vigil of Pentecost, a time of individuals coming to pray and reflect on God's blessings to them. Trinity held it's first Talent Auction, which was a fun time for people to offer their services and handcrafted items up for bidding.

Trinity has long been active in supporting causes that benefited our community. For example, the first 'Jaunt For Josh' was held in 1990. Named in honor of member Joshua Schmidt who battled Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, these events benefited the Muscular Dystrophy Association and raised thousands of dollars. Members and friends biked, jogged and walked for donations from the community.

In 1991, Trinity welcomed a daycare named 'Kids of the Kingdom', offering the community a place of learning for their preschoolers. With the celebration of 120 years, Trinity dedicated its prayer room. The backdrop in it came from the old church, reconstructed and given in honor of Herman Hartwig.

Trinity held a Wednesday evening worship service for several years starting in 1994, which was a contemporary service of music, prayer and scripture. Trinity has supported lay worship leadership over the years, such as the Decon program, which began with Ken Mekeel and Flo Goeseke taking instructions as preaching deacons. Helen Smith was a visitation deacon and Doug Mekeel a liturgical deacon.

Celebration of the 125th Anniversary in 1996 included the dedication of the main entry stained glass window, given in honor of all the pastors that had served Trinity. There were visits from former pastors Robert Kelley, Calvin Sigmon, Wayne Sipe, Bishop Lee Miller, and assistant to the bishop, Marie Jerge. This was also a very difficult time for Trinity, as we mourned the death of  Pastor Richard Schlewitt, who was the longest serving full-time pastor.

The Rev. Lauretta Dietrich was called by Trinity in 1997. A heritage celebration was held to share stories and remembrances over lunch. This was a coming together for long time members and newer people to get to know one another better. It helped those still feeling the loss of Rev. Schlewitt to share their feelings.

The kitchen was remodeled in 1998, giving those who work in the kitchen a beautiful mobile island to help facilitate serving and preparing food.

September 1999 had Trinity welcoming Rev. Ruth Hetland to lead us in worship and ministry. She came to us from Minnesota and felt right at home in our rural community. In 2001, Trinity was invited to share in a special time: the marriage of Pastor Hetland to Chad Peterson.

Due to the difficulty of some with kneeling at the altar, kneeling cushions were purchased in 2001. These were a memorial gift by Mel Knerr in living memory of his wife, Betty.

Following the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington DC and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, Trinity participated with other churches in a service of remembrance at Russell Park with prayers, special music and speakers paying tribute to the victims and their families.

The Hospitality Room was created in 2002 to offer individuals a time to visit with one another. This was a dream come true for the Evangelism Committee! Many conversations have been held over a cup of coffee and a snack following Sunday school or Sunday service.

Trinity's Library was dedicated in 2005. It offers books for all readers, including fiction and non-fiction, Bible helps, inspirational and devotional reading, videos, and more. Pastor Ruth Snyder was installed as Interim Pastor for two years.

A 2 day praying and visioning session was introduced at Trinity. This was a time of bible study, small group sharing and individual reflection. Creative ideas were discussed like "What do you believe God is calling us as a church of the ELCA to become?" Trinity also adopted our mission statement for the time: "Be a beacon, seeking and reflecting the light of the Lord."

135 years after the start of our church, we finally got an email address!

In 2004, a music festival was organized. Members were invited to share their musical talents. Special recognition was given to Nancy Bruning, a devoted organist and Trinity for over 20 years and loved by everyone. The same year, a reception was held in June to honor pastor Snyder on receiving her Doctor of Ministry degree.

In 2005, Rev. Dr. Snyder completed her 2 year term as Intentional Interim Pastor with Trinity. Before she left, she led and evening of spiritual journeying, at which time we walked a labyrinth, then proceeded to other rooms in silence for prayer in art, music and scripture.

On June 11, 2005, pastor Terry White was introduced. He was installed as pastor on September 18, 2005. He was pastor at Trinity until February of 2012.

In March 2012, Rev. Dr. John Scarafia was appointed as Transition Pastor. Pastor Scarafia worked with Trinity to conduct a ministry site profile and to call the next pastor for our congregation.

In June 2013, Pastor Jamie Retallack was accepted as our new pastor. Pastor Scarafia was honored at a dinner and Pastor Jamie took over shortly afterward.

In 2017, on the 500th anniversary of the protestant reformation, Trinity welcomed the people of our sibling congregation to their new home with us when St. John's Lutheran Church in Akron closed. Trinity proudly integrated some of St. John's traditions and keepsakes, especially their beautiful organ console which lives on in the sanctuary of Trinity.

On April 7, 2019, Pastor Adam Miller-Stubbendick took over as Transition Pastor. On July 12, 2020, Trinity met and accepted our new pastor, Rick Mollenkopf-Grill.

In March of 2020, Trinity - along with the rest of the world - faced the covid-19 pandemic by shutting down in-person activities in favor of online worship services. These continued until summer 2020, when in-person activities resumed, although with many safety precautions to protect the most vulnerable among us from infection of this respiratory disease. It was finally deemed safe enough to resume all in-person activities precaution-free in the spring of 2022.

During the fall of 2021, Trinity celebrated our 150th year as a congregation with a weekend of activities: a special dinner on our founding day - November 6 - with activities and presentation at Akron Acres, which was attended by Bishop Lee Miller II. The following day, a special anniversary worship service was held, with special music written by our organist David Hofmeier, and a special recognition of the founding families of Trinity.

Our history is still being written! Come join us, and add to what was, is and will be!