German immigrants held the first Lutheran services in the old Mutti Hotel building on 23 October 1904. Pastor A. Kaub preached on John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Worshippers built and based Trinity upon that promise. The tradition continues.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church's organization occurred on 16 April 1905; the date of the first service. Founders purchased the current lot and built the existing church structure in 1908. The church, affiliated with the Lutheran Church MissouriSynod, conducted services primarily in English. Nevertheless, the pastor presented German sermons on the second Sunday of each month. Saxon Lutherans, who arrived in New Orleans in 1838 and later relocated to Missouri, created the Missouri Synod.
photo courtesy of Then and Now
Lutheran
Church and public school in Abita Springs. ca. 1910.
The church received a parcel of land from Mr. Will Morgan in 1920. The donated land became the Lutheran Cemetery. Later, the church donated the cemetery to the Town of Abita Springs. Presently, this beautiful and peaceful landscape serves as the Abita Springs Cemetery.
During this period, lightening struck the church building. Dorothy Schwartz, a mere seven year old, held a penny party that raised $7.45 for purchasing the lightening rods that protect the church to this day.
Trinity joined the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) in 1970 and presently
maintains this affiliation.