History

Trinity Lutheran Church had its beginnings in the great emigration from Germany that took place around the middle of the 19th century. German and Norwegian immigrants poured into Manitowoc County and brought their faith along with them.

The early history of Trinity is intimately involved with that of St. John's Newtonburg. Founded two years earlier, St. John's founded and nurtured the new church at Liberty during the first 38 years through the ministry of its pastors and the willing aid of its people. During those 38 years, our confirmation students trudged through sunshine and snow to Newtonburg for instruction in the truths of God's Word.

During its 150 plus years of existence, our congregation has worshipped in three churches. Our first Church was a log cabin located about one mile north of our present church. Our second church was erected on our present site in 1867. Our present church was built in 1910.

Pastor Carl Frederick Goldammer was Trinity's first Pastor. He served from 1853 till 1855. Pastor Goldammer was ordained in Milwaukee in 1851, and for the next 20 years he founded a church every year, including St. John's in Newtonburg.

In 1891 Trinity decided to stike out on its own and Pastor H. Zarwell became Trinity's first resident pastor. Fred Knoll, our first Christian Day School teacher, was called in 1925.

Trinity decided to close its Christian Day school in 2003 and to pay tuition assitance to familes that sent their children to St. John's Lutheran School in Newtonburg.

In 2003 Trinity celebrated 150 years of God's grace.

Pastors of Trinity

Pastor Carl Frederick Goldammer (1853-1855)
Pastor Wilhelm Streissguth (1855-1856)
Pastor John Phillip Sprengling (1856 - 1861)
Pastor L. Nietmann (1861 - 1863)
Pastor H. Warnke (1863 - 1864)
Pastor F. A. Kleinert (1864 - 1868)
Pastor Carl Wagner (1868 - 1874)
Pastor E. Strube (1874 - 1888)
Pastor Anton Bernhard Pieper (1888 - 1891)
Pastor H. Zarwell (1891 - 1901)
Pastor F. Weerts (1901 - 1916)
Pastor P. Hensel (1916 - 1935)
Pastor E. Schroeder (1935 - 1945)
Pastor A. Geiger (1946 - 1951)
Pastor S. Kugler (1951 - 1970)
Pastor C. Rosenow (1970 - 1985)
Pastor T. Hartwig (1985 - 1989)
Pastor R. Schultz (1989 - 2000)
Vacancy Pastor J. Otto (2000 -2001)
Pastor T. Unke (2001 - 2003)
Vacancy Pastor S. Melso (2003 - 2004)
Pastor G. Pope (2004 - Present)