THE HISTORY To quote from the church history of 1980, "It is our prayer that this short history will give a deeper insight into how God used various people to build His Church here in Abita Springs." (1) Early records and documents indicate that at the turn of the century there were a number of Lutherans in Abita Springs who called for a minister and the organization of a congregation. Pastor Kaub came to Abita Springs as the guest of Herman Michaelis, a member of the founding council. It was the council and membership that seems to have been responsible for building the original church building. Apparently in the early days of this congregation the council and leaders of the congregation were responsible for most of the church's affairs. (1) October 23, 1904 A group of German Lutherans gathered for worship in Abita Springs, in a large room in the second story of an old building then standing where Mutti Hotel now is. The Rev. A. H. Kaub, the first pastor, preached on John 3, 16. 1904-08 Pastor: Rev. Authur H. Kaub April 16, 1905 -Palm Sunday- Trinity Lutheran Church was formally organized with six voting members present.. They chose the name "Trinity'. April 24, 1905 Present property was purchased for $150. June 19th, 1905 With seven voting members present, the Constitution and the Charter were read and accepted. The first officers elected were: Capt. H. Michaelis, President; Christian T. Schmaltz, Vice-President; and John P. Rausch, Secretary and Treasurer, H. Strubbe, J. Schadt, F. Nagel, and Rev. A.H. Kaub. August 31, 1905 The site for the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church located in Abita Springs was purchased from the Abita Springs Water Company Ltd., on August 31, 1905, for the amount of $125,000. The sale and purchase of the ground was consummated between the Rev. A. Kaub for the church and Gordon S. Orme, president of the Abita Springs Water Company Ltd. (conflicts with above) 1905 The first Mission was the Goodbee Mission formed by Rev. A.H. Kaub. After that, services were held in the Edwards Public School House every month by Rev. Kaub, until 1908. The Rev. A. Wismar held service in the home of Mrs. A. Fuhmann until April 3, 1910 when he dedicated the chapel at Goodbee, known as St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Chapel. (4) Spring 1906 Present church building completed and dedicated. The Church dimensions are 36 X 60 with two Sunday school class rooms divided from the auditorium by folding doors, which may be opened and used in case of necessity. It is estimated that the church cost $2000. June 27, 1906 The first wedding was solemnized in the new church, that of Miss Louise Tricouna d Mr. Jules Petit. The first confirmation class consisted of nine members, who became communicant members during the first few years of Pastor Koub's ministry. 1908 The present church was dedicated in 1908. The following served as the Building Committee: Pastor Kaub, and Messers. H. Michaelis, C. Schmaltz, J. P. Rausch, H. Strubbe, J. Schadt, F. Nagel, C. Rausch and V. Strubbe. 1909-10 Pastor: Rev. Paul E. Wagner December 17, 1911 The mission at Covington was founded by Pastor M.F. Kuegle. The services were held in various buildings and the cornerstone of the new brick church was laid on Sunday August 26, 1928. The Zion Church was dedicated on February 3, 1929 with a sermon by Rev. H.C. Seitz 1910-13 Pastor: Rev. Martin Kuegle 1913-15 Pastor: Rev. Christ Kuegle 1915-22 Pastor: Rev. 0scar W. Luecke Early 19 teens Quote from the 1980 history: In the early teens Pastor Luecke arrived and motivated the congregation to build a parsonage. Although there are no documents to support the supposition, and although there was only one member old enough to truly remember whom I interviewed, there was around this time an apparent decline in enthusiasm. The congregation depended more on the Pastor for motivation than several years before when the church was built. There was apparently some lack of enthusiasm on the part of the many short stay pastors from the time from Pastor Kaub to Pastor Klamt. (1) 1917 Parsonage erected at 702 Pine Street with a loan of $399., during the pastorate of the Rev. C. W. Luecke. The church building loan had been paid. 1921. Joined the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod 1923-25 Pastor: Rev. H. Bielenberg 1922-25 Pastor: Rev. R. E. Scaer, Supply Pastor 1926-58 Pastor: Rev. A. H. Klamt, served until December 31, 1927 but also as vacancy pastor until April 20, 1958 June 14, 1927 The Mission at Slidell was formed and the first Lutheran service held with Rev. A.H. Klamt preaching. Summer services were held at Camp Salmen, the Boy Scout Camp. Work was discontinued for a year but around 1941 a number of Lutherans came to Slidell and services were resumed. Around 1950 lots were purchased and in 1952 the congregation was organized. August 16-18, 1932 The Louisiana District Conference met at Camp Mandeville. September 3, 1940 The Mission of Picayune, Mississippi was formed with the first service at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Witthauer. April 16, 1955 the Golden Anniversary ceremonies of the Trinity Lutheran church in Abita Springs Scores of persons from Abita Springs, New Orleans and the Florida Parishes participated in the Fiftieth Anniversary ceremonies of the Trinity Lutheran church in Abita Springs this past Sunday, April 16. During the morning services the Rev. R.L. Dittmann, a grandson of one of the founding fathers and pastor in Alexandria, La., occupied the pulpit and in the afternoon, the Rev. P. W. Streufert, of New Orleans, president of the Southern district of Lutheran churches was the guest speaker. Mrs. R. A. Jahraus served as organist at both services. Congratulatory messages were read from the Town of Abita and other organizations and from former pastors. The Rev. O. W. Luecke, of Salem, Ala. a former pastor, delivered a brief address. A luncheon was served in the Abita Springs town hall between the morning and afternoon services. Louis Stire acted as Master of Ceremonies for the occasion and Miss Naomi Rausch, whose grandfather and father were founding fathers of the church, delivered a fascinating lecture on her travels to the Holy Land. Mrs. Robert Leveson, president of the Ladies' Aid Society, and the members, served during the refreshment hour. Mrs. Dixie Casadaban decorated the altar and sanctuary with beautiful flowers, carrying out the color scheme of gold. Since many of the visitors were former members of the church, it was a homecoming to them, and many old friends were renewed. The present church was dedicated in 1908. The following served as the Building Committee: Pastor Kaub, and Messers. H. Michaelis, C. Schmaltz, J. P. Rausch, H. Strubbe, J. Schadt, F. Nagel, C. Rausch and W. Strubbe. The adjoining parsonage was erected in 1917, during the pastorate of the Rev. O. W. Luecke. During the half a century of its existence, Trinity congregation has been served by the following pastors: Rev. Kaulb, 1904-1908; Rec. P. E. Wagner, 1909-1910, Rev. M. Kuegle, 1910-1913; Rev. C. Kuegle, 19131915; Rev. Luecke, 1915-1922; Rev. H. Bielenberg, 1923-1925; Rev. R. E. Scaer, Supply Pastor, 1922 and 1925; and Rev. A. H. Klamt, the present pastor, since 1926. The Abita Springs congregation numbered 115 souls and the whole field including Mandeville, Covington, and Goodbee numbered about 225. 1958-60 Pastor: Rev. F. Runge 1960 Adopted the Constitution of October 25, 1960 1961-65 Pastor: Rev. D. Krabbe 1966 Pastor: Rev. D. Karloski 1966-68 Pastor: Rev. R. Klein By the time Pastor Klamt arrived, the church council was inactive and the church was on a decline. It did not even exist in name. During the long stay that Pastor Klamt was here, many souls were excellently instructed. Part of the cause for the church's decline seems to have been that Pastor Klamt had souls in his care from Manchac to Picayune and had a weekly schedule worked out to meet and instruct members throughout this wide area. Part of the problem seems also to have been Pastor Klamt's willingness to make many personal sacrifices. For example, it was Pastor Klamt's personal funds that bought the property for the Covington church in the early 30's. This was certainly generous, but it was not good. The congregation became very inactive. Sometimes this is attributed to the small number of members present in church on Sundays. It would have been probably more accurate to attribute a few faithful to the lack of lay participation. After this, though, the Missouri Synod apparently became irritated that all documents and correspondence, which were meant to deal with the congregation, were handled not as a church council but by the pastor. No one is really sure how it came about, but Pastor Klamt sort of "appointed" a president and treasurer. (1) Finally Pastor Klamt retired after a long and arduous service to this congregation. His follower was Pastor Runge, but there were no significant changes in the structure of the council or congregation during his rather short stay. But when Pastor Krabbe arrived, the council quickly evolved into an active advisory board. There were now more officers than a president and treasurer. Minutes were taken and decisions were discussed and voted. (1) At this time, this congregation was still part of a dual parish with the congregation in Covington. The council decided that since Abita Springs and Covington were so close and neither congregation was particularly large, that it would be better to build a new church and close both the churches. It was agreed, but where? Proposals were made and discussed and debated and voted. Finally a lot was chosen south of Covington. Originally it was thought that the new church should be somewhere between Abita Springs and Covington, not south of Covington or north of Abita Springs. Pastor Krabbe agreed to serve both churches and all went fairly well until Pastor Klein arrived. (1) 1968 Missouri Synod refused to serve congregation There seemed to have been a misunderstanding from the beginning when Pastor Klein was called. The members of Abita Springs thought it was understood that he was called to serve one parish with two congregations and two churches. Pastor Klein, however, insisted after he had been here quite some time that he would not serve Abita Springs and that he was called to serve one church, not two churches. His approach lacked diplomacy. A comedy of discoveries followed this flare- up between Pastor Klein and the members at Abita Springs. Pastor Klein thought it would be proper for the council to sell the property. This could have been done only if the Missouri Synod owned the property, and it did not. The property was bought by the original council in Abita Springs, and since there was still a congregation in Abita Springs, the property belonged to that congregation. During this conflict many unattended matters were clarified. The congregation in Abita Springs became a legal entity apart from the congregation in Covington. Now there were truly two separate congregations. By its actions, the congregation in Abita Springs separated itself from the Missouri Synod, and, besides, the Missouri Synod would send no more Pastors to Abita Springs. That was clear. So the men of the congregation organized and sent a delegation to find a suitable synod from which they could get a Pastor to serve them. The American Lutheran Synod was tried, but that Synod did not want to offend the Missouri Synod with which they were in fellowship. The Wisconsin Synod was not in fellowship with the Missouri Synod and had no qualms serving the Abita Springs congregation. The pastor who served this congregation was Pastor Weiser, a dynamic, somewhat abrasive individual who gave the entire congregation adult instruction. He felt a need to strengthen the spiritual being of this congregation was formally organized when he found that it had been merely shopping for someone to fill the pulpit, during which search a Baptist minister conducted service in Abita Springs Evangelical Lutheran Church. This period of time was very trying for the congregation. Pastor Weiser accepted a missionary call to central Africa leaving the congregation again without a regular pastor. The council responded by becoming very energetic and determined to survive. (1) 1968-70 Pastor: Rev. P. Ronning The Congregation became a member of THE AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH 1971-73 Pastor: Rev. D. Weiser WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD October 24, 1971 There was a rite of installation service of the pastor D. Weiser performed by Karl Peterson, of Birmingham and a member of the Gulf Atlantic Mission Board. Pastor J. Meyer was present and Trinity's 1971 church council. The Rev. Weiser is also pastor of Crown of Life Lutheran Church, a mission congregation in New Orleans. 1968 The church consisting of 60 baptized members, of whom 40 are communicants, was organized in 1968, after ties with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod were severed. 1968-1971 For three years, the congregation continued without synodical affiliation. (1) August 1971 Joined the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod The church council of Trinity contacted the Rev. Waldemar Zarling, president of the Michigan District. After an initial meeting with President Zarling, the congregation asked the Rev. Douglas Weiser, pastor of the nearest Wisconsin Synod congregation, Crown of Life, New Orleans, to lead the members in a study of the Bible's teachings. After full agreement on the basis of Scripture was discovered, Trinity Congregation reorganized under a new constitution, applied for membership in the Wisconsin Synod, and was declared to be in fellowship with the same. Trinity then called Pastor Weiser as its minister, issuing a joint call together with the Gulf-Atlantic Mission District Mission Board. In this way, Trinity, a self-supporting congregation, shares its pastor with our Synod's mission congregation in New Orleans. (1) October 24, 1971 Rev. Douglas Weiser was installed Pastor and served 1971-1973. Rev. J. P. Meyer, of Atlanta. Ga. delivered the installation sermon, "Faithfulness to God." Also participating in the ceremonies was Rev. Karl Peterson of Birmingham, Ala. and served as liturgist. June 13 through 15, 1972 At its convention, the Michigan District welcomed applicant congregation Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Abita Springs, Louisiana. July 15, 1973 Installation of Rev. Philip Koeninger who was Pastor 1973-1974 Although a young man, he became sick and died in January 1975. During the trying times that still followed, it was not unusual for a member of the council to conduct service to serve the congregation. (1) After a long waiting period, another pastor arrived, Pastor Werner. (1) July 6, 1975 Pastor Rev. James Werner was installed and served 1975-1985 July 11, 1976 Completely renovated parsonage was dedicated as Brown-Leveson Parish Hall. July 12, 1977 Weekly radio ministry begun on WARB of Covington 1977 Church Council Officers for 1977: Joseph I. Forbes, John Leveson, Louis C. Stire. F. W. "Jack" Brown, Theodore Willems, president; Rudolph Hawkins, vice president; Rev. James F. Werner, pastor; and Albert Greseler Sr., financial secretary; and Fred Bennett Jr., secretary. January 6, 1979 Helped to begin exploratory services in Baton Rouge, La. April 19, 1979 Easter Sunday Wisconsin seminarians present concert at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, a 47 voice Male Chorus of the Lutheran Synod is entirely made up of ministerial students. Chorus members were housed with members of Trinity Congregation. January 6, 1980 Installation was held celebrating the Congregation's 75th year. The membership counted 115 souls and 86 communicants. 1980 Recently the congregation has been undergoing further challenging developments. Committees were broadening their scope and area of activities. (1) Trinity has a membership of 90 communicants and 120 souls. 1980 CHURCH COUNCIL: Ted Willems - President, L. James Rongstad, Secretary, Pastor James Werner, Joseph Forbes - Vice President, Robert Leveson - Treasurer, Latimore Sharp, John Leveson, Latimore Sharp, Vincent Schiro - Financial Secretary. Trinity Ladies' Guild: Carol Rongatad, President; Dot Probes, Vice-President; Dot Willems, Secretary; Kathy Sharp, Treasurer 1980 ORGANIST: Elizabeth Tosterud 1980 Sunday School Teachers: D'Wanna DuFrans and Kathy Sharp 1980 Bible Study Leaders: L. James Rongstad and Pastor James Werner 1980 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL STAFF: Carol Rongstad, Pastor Werner, Frank Smith, Marion Smith, Karen Weed, Melissa Smith, Steve Werner, Ann Harris, Kathy Sharp, Joseph Forbes November 19, 1980 Pastor Carl Mistake, the president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran synod delivered a sermon at a mission festival. A new Allen digital computer organ was donated anonymously to the church with padding for all the pews. The building was completely re-painted; the pews re-finished and new carpeting was installed. January 4, 1981 Installation of the Church Council: Pastor James E. Werner; Ted Williams, Vice-president; John Leveson, Councilman; Bob Leveson, Treasurer; Al Giesler, Councilman, Joseph Forbes, President; Lionel Petit, Financial Secretary; Jim Rongstad, Secretary; and Latimore Sharp, Councilman. October 26, 1981 Anniversary Homecoming special service for all those who have been baptized and/or confirmed at Trinity church over the past 75 years. June 27, 1982 Installation of Pastor Rev. Dennis R. Bratz, served 1982-1983 1984-1992 PASTOR: Herbert C. Kuske October 21, 1984 Parsonage WAS dedicated almost 80 years to the day from the first church service. 1984-1992 PASTOR: Rev. Herbert C. Kuske 1992-1999 PASTOR: Rev. David Sternhagen 1999-2004 PASTOR: Rev. Edward Frey 2004-present PASTOR: Rev. Joseph M. Dietrich August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina blew through Abita Springs. Many trees and virtually all the power lines in the area were knocked down. Electrical power tothe church and parsonage was restored after 8 days. Many other areas of town waited longer for power to be restored. The church building suffered minor damage. Some roof tiles and the chimney cap blew down. The cross at the top of the steeple broke off and hung by the lightning rod cable. Some windows were broken, but there was no interior damage or water damage to the building. Members used a manlift to take the cross down from the steeple which is nearly 60' high. Plans are in place to replace the cross. The parsonage also received minor damage from the tops of two pine trees hitting the roof. The roof was pierced above the guest bedroom which then received some water damage. Volunteers tarped over the damaged area until it can be repaired. Following the storm, many members of the WELS came to the aid of our area by coming as volunteers and sending generous financial gifts. The congregation cooked and served meals for the volunteers at the fellowship hall for several weeks after the storm. The volunteers were working especially hard to help Pastor Sternhagen and his congregation Crown of Life in New Orleans East to get back on their feet. They were severely flooded in the storm's aftermath. (3) October 30, 2005 Trinity celebrated the third of four special 100 year celebrations. Guest speaker was Pastor John Guse, president of the South Atlantic District of the WELS. His sermon text was Romans 4:25-5:1 with the theme being: "Always Live in the Eye of the Storm." Guest choir at the worship service was the Crown of Life choir "Voices of Victory." The members of Crown of Life participated with us in the celebration. They had been worshipping at a member's home since the hurricane. The theme for all four 100 year celebrations is: "100 Years of Grace." The specific theme for each celebration is as follows: * April 17, 2005; "100 Years of Grace--Jesus Our Shepherd through the Years;" * July 17, 2005; "100 Years of Grace--Sharing Christ with the Community"; * Ocotber 30, 2005; "100 Years of Grace--Sharing our Lutheran Heritage, By Faith Alone, By Grace Alone, In the Scriptures Alone"; Guest speaker Pastor John Guse. * November 27, 2005; "100 Years of Grace, Sharing Christ with the World." Guest speaker Pastor David Sternhagen, chairman of the Africa Administrative Committee. (3) We pray that in these celebrations of God's grace through the years, all people will find hope and strength in our Savior for the years to come. By God's grace, the gospel still rings out from the pulpit and people of Trintiy Evangelical Lutheran Church. We have many new opportunities to proclaim God's love to the many new and existing residents of the Abita Springs area. We pray that God would continue to bless this congregation and enable it to grow. Since the hurricane we have all been reminded of Jesus' words that though the world pass away, God's Word stands firm. In love our Savior calls us to work while it is day before the night comes when no one can work. Today is the day of salvation. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Let us tell this good news to our family, friends, neighbors and world. Let us go forward in confidence that we serve a living God and our labor in the Lord is not in vain. To God be the glory for years on years of matchless grace. May he be with us as he was with our fathers. (3) Credits: (1) 1980 History, Rudolf Hawkins Jr., Winter 1979-80 (2) "A Guide to Historic Abita Springs, Louisiana, Town Hall Information (3) Pastor Joseph Dietrich (4) History by Rev. A.H. Klamt supplied by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church