Pastors at Trinity

Pastor Carl Frederick Goldammer (1853-1855)

Pastor Goldammer's background was similar to that of most of the early pastors in our Synod. He was born in Saxony, Germany in 1821. He entered the Rheinish Mission House at Erlangen in 1846, but he had to withdraw because he had difficulty with foreign language. Later he was given training at the Barmen Mission School and sent to America by the Langenburger Society to serve German settlers in Dodge County, WI. He arrived in America in 1850, the year of the Synod's founding. He was ordained in Milwaukee in 1851. For the next 20 years he founded one congregation a year, including St. John's and Trinity.

The German immigration moved north from Milwaukee along Lake Michigan. This served as a catalyst for Goldammer's activities. Lutherans arriving in the wilderness area around Newtonburg pleaded with Goldammer to establish a congregation there. Twenty families promised a salary of $1.50 per family per year and the necessities of life as they were able. St. John's of Newtonburg was founded in 1851 and Goldammer became its permanent pastor in 1852. Worship services were held in private homes, a school, and a log cabin (which served as a combination church, school, and parsonage). In 1853, Goldammer expanded his ministry west into the town of Liberty, where he helped found Trinity. The constitution that he wrote for the two congregations was solidly Lutheran. Goldammer took a strong stand on Lutheran confessional principles. His efforts helped to move the Synod to a more scriptural position doctrinally. In 1884, he accepted a call to Beaver Dam. When St. Stephen's wanted to build a church but did not have the necessary funds, he appealed to the churches that he had founded for help. In a wonderful show of love and support for their beloved pastor, the congregations responded generously. St. Stephens dedicated a church in 1887. Goldammer served the Synod at large as secretary and as a member of the committee that determined that Watertown should be the site of the new pastor training school. As the Synod's most senior pastor, he was called upon to preach at special events, which he enjoyed thoroughly. His last guest appearance was at Huilsburg in Dodge County, a congregation that he helped form forty years earlier. He retired in 1896 and died that same year at age 75. All the Synod's early pastors were missionaries, but few planted as many seeds as did Carl Goldammer. May his mission zeal and love for souls continue to characterize our Synod and our congregation.

Pastor Wilhelm Streissguth (1855-1856)

After Pastor Goldammer's departure in 1855, Pastor Wilhelm Streissguth accepted a call to St. John's and Trinity. During his first year various illnesses compelled him to accept a call to St. John's in Milwaukee. In 1886 his failing health forced him to retire from active service in the church. Pastor Streissguth died peacefully in Milwaukee at the age of 88.

 

 

Pastor John Phillip Sprengling (1856-1861)

In 1857 Pastor John Phillip Sprengling came to St. John's and Trinity. Every family of the congregation pledged to pay at least $2.00 per year for his salary.   The congregation also realized the value of a Christian education.   It passed a resolution that children of the congregation were not to be confirmed until they had at least two years of instruction in the chief parts of Christian doctrine.   Pastor Sprengling moved on in 1861 to serve several congregations in Wisconsin until 1882, when he was afflicted with a severe stomach ailment. The Lord heard his prayers and granted him a peaceful end at age 50.

Pastor L. Nietmann (1861-1863)

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Pastor Nietmann came in 1861 and concluded his ministry in 1863.

Pastor H. Warnke (1863-1864)

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Pastor F.H. Warnke succeeded Pastor Nietmann in 1863. He only served for part of a year and later left the synod. After Pastor Warnke's departure Rev. Koehler of Manitowoc served as the vacancy pastor.

Pastor F.A. Kleinert (1864-1868)

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In 1864 Pastor F.A. Kleinert became the new pastor. When the matter of cleaning the church became an issue an alphabetical schedule including each family in the church was set up. Pastor Kleinert left the congregation in 1868 and returned to Germany in 1870.

Pastor Carl Wagner (1868-1874)

Pastor Carl Wagner succeeded Pastor Kleinert in 1868. He left the congregation in 1874 and died of a heart attack in 1893 at age 65.

 

 

 

 

Pastor E. Strube (1874-1888)

In 1874 Pastor Strube was called to minister to the members of St. John's and Trinity. A strong stand was taken against lodge membership and dancing was officially declared evil. Personal announcement for communion was initiated under Pastor Strube. Steps were taken to carry out church discipline on those that neglected church and communion attendance.

In 1882 it was mandated that only children that could read at the elementary level were accepted into confirmation instruction. The new Wisconsin Synod hymnals were introduced at this time. In 1885 it was resolved that those that did not contribute to the general fund and the school fund would be removed from the roster. Residents had to become members of the congregation to receive the Lord's Supper. In 1887 two years of instruction were required before confirmation. The boys had to be 14 and girls had to be 13 to be confirmed.

Pastor Anton Bernhard Pieper (1888-1891)

In 1888, Pastor Anton Pieper came to St. John's and Trinity. He taught religion, arithmetic, writing, and singing three days a week. His salary was $400 per year. The custom of bringing a special offering to the celebration of the Lord's Supper was begun.

 

 

 

Pastor H. Zarwell (1891-1901)

In 1891 Trinity decided to strike out on its own. Pastor H. Zarwell was called and installed as Trinity's first resident pastor. Many physical improvements took place during the decade of Pastor Zarwell's ministry at Trinity. A parsonage and a schoolhouse were built during his first year. The next year the church was redecorated and the parsonage was remodeled. In 1893 the cemetery was enlarged and beautified.

In 1894 extensive repairs were made to the pump organ. A new bell was purchased for the congregation in 1895. Donations for the altar ware were given in 1896. More construction was done in 1898 with the building of a summer kitchen for the parsonage. Benches and tables were procured for the church. In 1899 the house and school were painted. Barns were renovated and enlarged in 1900 with enough room to house 50 horses. Pastor Zarwell served until 1901, when he accepted a call to Platteville, Wisconsin.

Pastor F. Weerts (1901-1916)

In 1901 Pastor F. Weerts was installed as the second pastor at Trinity. In 1903 the congregation celebrated its 50th year. The cornerstone for the congregation's third church was laid on June 5, 1910. On October 31, 1910 the church was dedicated. The total cost of the church was $15,000. In 1915 the church was decorated. Salaries in the early days were extremely low. What the members lacked in money they made up in other ways. The pastors received necessary food and transportation in excess of their salary. Bills were paid as they arose. In 1916 Pastor Weerts accepted a call to Children's Home.

Pastor P. Hensel (1916-1935)

Pastor Hensel was called as pastor of Trinity on July 30, 1916. During his term of service at Trinity several building projects were undertaken. The parsonage was renovated in 1920. The church and parsonage received electricity in 1922. Fred Knoll, our first Christian Day School teacher was called in 1925. Lydia Karth came to Trinity in 1927 and remained until 1935.

The congregation purchased the Wangerin organ in 1926 that still is being used today. In 1928 the congregation celebrated its 75th Anniversary. During Pastor Hensel's service to Liberty the greatest addition to the ministry at Trinity was our Christian Day School. In 1935 Pastor Hensel resigned and began Grace in Valders.

Pastor E. Schroeder (1935 - 1945)

Pastor E. Schroeder, having served as vacancy pastor, formally accepted a call to Trinity. Pastor Schroeder's ministry was one of rebuilding, spiritual harmony, and internal peace. Under Pastor Schroeder's leadership, the following organizations were either begun or infused with new life: Ladies Aid (1937), Bible Class, Young People's Society, Choir, and Mission Society. After periods of ups and downs these organizations are still doing excellent work today.

In 1938 the Ladies Aid donated carpet for the aisles of the church. All males had to join the church to have cemetery rights. In 1940 the parsonage was repainted. In 1941 a new slate roof was put on the church and remained until the hailstorm of 2000. The parsonage was also re-shingled. In 1942 our 90th Anniversary was celebrated. In 1945 the congregation granted a release to Pastor Schroeder to Apostle's Church, Milwaukee.

Pastor Gieger (1946 - 1951)

Pastor Geiger was installed on January 6, 1946 in an afternoon service. Much modernization was done to the parsonage. In 1946 and 1947 the parsonage received waterworks, a furnace (at a cost of $l,280) and a remodeled kitchen. Pastor Geiger donated his labor and built all the kitchen cupboards.

In 1946 a building fund was started. In 1947 a school fund began with special offerings on Christmas Eve, Graduation, and other services. In the fall of 1948 a new church discipline system was put into place. Members, who had not attended the Lord's Supper for several years or joined congregations out of the WELS, were taken off the membership list and announced at a public service.

In 1947 wool insulation was added to the attic of the school and a merry-go-round was purchased. In 1949 a revision of the German constitution was adopted and in 1950 a new English constitution was accepted. On June 5, 1950 the church adopted a two pocket envelope system.

A new heating system was installed in the church in 1948. The school was upgraded in 1949 with the installation of a heating system and other needed improvements. In 1950 the school was rewired, plumbing was installed, and more improvements were made. In 1951 the interior of the school was worked on. In 1951, it was decided to join the other churches in the district, and share the expenses of sending one shipment of cheese to Germany. Pastor Geiger also accepted a call to another field of labor.

Pastor S. Kugler (1951-1970)

In October of 1951 Pastor S. Kugler was installed. The parsonage was papered and landscaping was done around the parsonage. The church was newly decorated and the basement was spruced up. The horse barn outlived its usefulness and it was disposed of in 1953. The Men's Club began in 1952.

Werner Roekle was installed as teacher on August 3, 1952. In 1953, a special meeting was held to discuss preparations for the centennial celebration. Some motions made were: to push the old barn foundation over and cover it up, take down the church toilets (outhouses), get water piped into the church and to have five special envelopes for the centennial celebration, four for church and one for missions. The congregation celebrated its centennial in September of 1953. In 1955 a motion was made to install toilet facilities in the church basement. A milk program was also adopted for the school children. It was decided to move the school into the church basement at this time. In September of 1957 Mrs. Elroy Vetter was called as teacher. Mrs. Kermit Liermann replaced her in 1958. In 1959 Werner Roekle moved on and Ursel Seidl was installed on July 19. Plans for a new school were drawn up. In 1958 the parsonage received combination aluminum windows and aluminum siding. In 1959, a motion was made to join the Wisconsin Synod. It passed 27 to 5. In 1960 Mrs. Sonnenburg taught the lower grades.

The congregation bought the Elroy Vetter house for $5500 in July 1961. The altar fund was designated to purchase railings for the steps on the approach to the altar, to assist the elderly of the congregation. In 1961, due to lightening, damage repairs were made to the steeple, which included painting and a new stainless steel cross was added to the top. A vote was taken to purchase the home where Mrs. Alvin Spaude was living. It passed 32 to 6. In 1964, due to windstorm damage, a resolution was passed to have the stained glass windows releaded and repaired by a studio out of Winona, Minnesota. The outside trim was painted, new gutter pipes were installed by Reindl Hardware and roof repairs were made. On October 7, 1962, the cornerstone for the new school was laid. On March 24, 1963, the new school was dedicated by Rev. S. Kugler with the children singing. March 25, 1963 marked the first day in the new school. The last day in the school was May 30, 2003, marking forty years of Christian education at that facility. In June 1964, the old school house was sold for $1100. In 1966 Mrs. Dan Kirkland resigned and Mrs. Oscar Moldenhauer taught the lower grades from 1966-68. Miss Janine England taught the lower grades from 1968-1969 until she got married. Miss Carol Pfeil took her place in 1969. The school and teacherage were paid in full on June 22, 1969. On October 12, 1969 the new parsonage was dedicated with only $15,000 left to pay of the original $32,000. Ursel Seidl accepted a call to Minnesota in the spring of 1970 and was replaced by John Marten, who was assigned to Trinity. Pastor Kugler received twenty calls in his nineteen years of service to Trinity. He finally accepted the call as Missionary Director to seven states. He preached his farewell sermon on October 18, 1970.

Pastor C. Rosenow (1970 - 1985)

Pastor Rosenow was installed on October 25, 1970 . During his years of service there was a sharp increase in membership. A Sunday School was begun by David and Dianne Schultz in 1973 for four-and five­year-olds. The next year it was expanded to include three-year-olds. Several bequests were received by the congregation which funded a sound system as well as additional lighting and repainting of the interior. In 1980 Esther Hammel retired as church custodian.

The Cemetery Committee reported the need for additional land for the cemetery. A parcel was purchased from Fred Wehausen. This purchase enabled the laying out of a baseball field for the school and church.

Plans were drawn up for the construction of an expanded narthex. The New Year’s Day service was eliminated. In 1977 the Men’s Choir was begun. The church purchased two small Christmas trees in place of the traditional one large tree. Ceiling fans were installed to help the church stay cool in summer and warm in winter. The New International Version of the catechism was introduced. Some children went to Kindergarten at St. John’s and received tuition assistance from Trinity. Plans were started for the 125 th Anniversary celebration. At the Anniversary celebration the church was filled to capacity for all three services. Confirmation pictures were on display. Both the Sunday School and the Day School had a display of their work. The Ladies Mission Society had an essay contest, “What does church mean to me?” The winner of the contest received a new Bible History book. Pastor Rosenow accepted a call to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sierra Madre, California in 1985.

Pastor T. Hartwig (1985-1989)

Pastor Hartwig was installed on June 30, 1985. He served Trinity for four years until he was called to Minnesota to teach at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm.

 

 

Pastor R. Schultz (1989-2000)

In May, 1988 Pastor Schultz accepted a call to Trinity. In 1991, it was decided to go with an artificial Christmas tree, after years of real Christmas trees, due to insurance reasons regarding fire danger. In 1993 Lorena Nagel made new curtains for the church basement. In the spring of 2000 a hail storm destroyed much of the property at the parsonage. The Schultz family had to live in a trailer the remainder of their time at Trinity. Builders for Christ assisted in rebuilding the parsonage. During the service of Pastor Schultz to Trinity individual communion cups were initiated and the new Christian Worship hymnals were purchased for the congregation. In the fall of 2000 Pastor Schultz accepted a call to a mission church in Minnesota .

Pastor J. Otto (2000-01)

Pastor Otto was the vacancy pastor after Pastor Schultz accepted his call to Minnesota. Pastor Otto was a positive influence for the youth of the congregation. This was a time of contentment and a time of respite after the turmoil of the 2000 hailstorm in the community. Pastor Otto is now a minister in California.

Pastor T. Unke (2001-2003)

The 150th Anniversary Committee began plans for the Anniversary celebration in November of 2001. Its efforts culminated in a grand celebration in July of 2003. The Anniversary Committee worked long hours to paint and clean up the church for the anniversary celebration. The narthex and basement were painted. The heating ducts, the basement bathroom walls, the floors and the outside railings were painted. The cement was power-washed to a gleaming white, and two new doors were installed. Laurie Hoffmann sewed new basement curtains. The picnic tables and merry-go-rounds were sanded and painted. Each month in the year of 2003, before the July celebration, we had a Celebration Sunday.

In January we had a “Throwback Sunday” with the women dressed in period clothes. Men sat on one side of the church (right) and women and children sat on the other side (left). February was our recognition of the called workers and Sunday School Teachers. March was a military salute to our veterans. May was dedicated to our youth. That weekend we hosted a 3.8 mile run/walk and a coed volleyball tournament. The MLHS Praise Band entertained us and the day ended with a hayride and bonfire.

Pastor Hartwig was our guest speaker on Youth Sunday. After the service 150 balloons were released before a potluck dinner. New ceiling fans were purchased and a new sound system was installed. We gave power point presentations with a new digital camera and projector. The families made squares for an anniversary quilt, providing enough squares to complete two quilts.

Ornaments were designed and created by Gary Vetter. We printed our first cookbook and our commemorative calendar with the birthdays and anniversaries of our members. We had occasional outdoor worship services beginning in 2002. The special envelope for the contributions to the Anniversary Committee was earmarked for repairs to the organ and the stained glass windows.

Pastor Unke resigned his call in August 2003.