 A History of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Church congregation first met in 1904 in the old Mutti Hotel in Abita Springs. 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. The church bilding was completed in 1906. A.H. Kaub was the pastor and the building committee was composed of H. Michaelis, President, and the following member names are on the church cornerstone: E Schmalz, John P. Rausch, H. Strubbe, F. Nagel, Carl Rausch and C. Strubbe. Mr. Schmalz is the grandfather of Clara Beaushaw, who is a member of Trinity today.
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 Missouri Synod, conducted services primarily in English. Pastor Klamt was the Pastor of Trinity for some thirty years. When Pastor Klamt was at Trinity, he served Mandeville, Covington, Ponchatoula, Fluker, and Clinton, LA.
The building on the north side of Trinity was built in 1917 as the parsonage. Pastor Klamt and his wife lived there for thirty years. The building was later named "The Brown-Leveson Hall" and today is used by the congregation as a place for Sunday School and Fellowship.
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 near St. Joseph Street.
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.
In 1955, Trinity celebrated its Golden Anniversary. Rev. Dittman was the guest speaker and the church was decorated with gold calla lilies. A delicious dinner was enjoyed in the Town Hall.
Trinity joined the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) in 1970 and presently
maintains this affiliation.
In 1980, Trinity celebrated its 75th Anniversary. The Theme was "Living Waters at WELS in Abita Springs."
In 2005, Trinity celebrated its centennial anniversary.
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Our Pastors
LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD
1904-08 Rev. Arthur H. Kaub
1909-10 Rev. Paul E. Wagner
1910-13 Rev. Martin Kuegle
1913-15 Rev. Christ Kuegle
1915-22 Rev. Oscar W. Luecke
1923-25 Rev. H. Bielenberg
1922 and 1925 Rev. R. E. Scaer, Supply Pastor
1926-58 Rev. A. H. Klamt
1958-60 Rev. F. Runge
1961-65 Rev. D. Krabbe
1966 Rev. D. Karloski
1966-68 Rev. R. Klein
THE AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
1968-70 Rev. P. Ronning
WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD
1971-73 Rev. D. Weiser
1973-74 Rev. P. Koeninger
1974-75 Rev. John P. Meyer, vacancy pastor
1975-85 Rev. James E. Werner
1982-83 Rev. Dennis R. Bratz
1984-92 Rev. Herbert C. Kuske
1992-99 Rev. David Sternhagen
1999-04 Rev. Edward Frey
2004-07 Rev. Joseph M. Dietrich
2008-Present Rev. Dustin A. Bergene
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