| Spring 1915 |
Fifteen families of German descent organized the “German Lutheran Church". |
| 1920 |
This congregation joined “The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. |
| 1922 |
Norwegian Lutherans organized “First Lutheran Church of Carrington”, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. |
| 1924 |
This church disbanded and some of its families continued to worship in New Rockford. Services were held in the courthouse, Grand Theatre and the Baptist Church. |
| 1932 |
Pastor Alvin L. C. Keller came to Carrington in the hope of uniting the German and Norwegian Lutheran. |
| September 14, 1932 |
Reverend Keller was called by the mission board of the American Lutheran Church synod to organize the congregation. They continued to worship in the courthouse. |
| 1932 |
The Ladies Aid was organized before the congregation was formed. |
| February 23, 1933 |
Trinity Lutheran Church of Carrington, ND was organized |
| 1933 |
Trinity served food at the first Foster County Fair |
| 1934 |
The ladies of the First Lutheran Church raised $1,000.00 which assisted in financing the new church. |
| 1934 |
Members who could not attend the regular ladies aid organized the Altar Guild. Their purpose was to study the altar, its proper covering and altarware. |
| 1934 |
Membership was approximately 100 |
| 1934 |
Land was purchased from Mrs. Lee Harmon to build a church at 585 Main Street |
| August 14, 1934 |
Ground breaking for the new church building |
| December 16, 1934 |
First service held in new church structure |
| September 22, 1935 |
Dedication of church facility |
1935-1979 |
| December 1940 |
Lot and house across the street (590 Main St.) was purchased for $3,000.00 to be used for a parsonage. |
The old church parsonage purchased in 1940, is still in use today as a single family home. |
| January 16, 1941 |
Altar Guild disbanded. |
| February 20, 1941 |
The Lutheran Daughters of the Reformation (LDR) organized at the home or Margaret Keller with 38 charter members. |
| April 1941 |
Pastor Keller left Trinity accepting a call in Fargo, ND |
| Late in 1941 |
Henry Meske, pastor |
| 1943 |
First choir was organized by Bill Robbins |
| 1944 |
Pastor Meske left Trinity accepting a call in Valley City, ND |
| May 1944 |
Emil Lange, pastor |
| 1945 |
28 members in LDR |
| January 21, 1947 |
The Men’s Club of Trinity Lutheran Church was organized. |
| 1948 |
Membership was 298 baptized members, with Sunday School enrollment of 120. |
| 1948 |
Stained glass windows were added and dedicated on Easter Sunday. |
| March 1949 |
New light fixtures installed in the worship area. |
| 1950 |
At the annual meeting the decision was made to form a building committee to formulate plans for expanding the facilities to make more room for Sunday School classes. |
| October 1951 |
Ground was broken for an educational unit to the north of the original structure. |
| May 1952 |
The dedication was held for the new addition and a re-dedication was held for the church furnishings |
| 1952 |
Membership reached 379 members with Sunday School enrollment at 141. |
| October 1953 |
Membership has grown – two Sunday morning services began |
| 1950’s |
Trinity Lutheran Church ceased being a Mission Church & became self supporting |
| November 1956 |
Pastor E. E. Lang left Trinity accepting a call in Casselton, N.D. |
| February 1957 |
R.E. Roesler was installed as reverend at Trinity. |
| 1958 |
Records showed 718 baptized members and 479 confirmed members |
| February 11, 1959 |
Purchased property at the east end of the block (533 Main St.) for additional Sunday School classrooms from Hayashi family – “Trinity Lutheran Annex”. ($17,000) |
Purchased in 1959 to be used for additional Sunday School classrooms |
| September 27, 1959 |
25th Anniversary of the congregation & dedication of the Annex |
| January 1, 1960 |
Trinity became affiliated with the “American Lutheran Church” with the merger of the four Lutheran Church bodies. LDR became part of the ALCW with the merger. |
| 1961 |
Quilting began when quilts were made and sent to New Guinea Mission Field |
| 1961 |
Mrs. Eleanor Roesler organized and taught the first Kindergarten class in the church. |
| 1961 |
Cherub Choice was organized by Mrs. Eleanor Roesler |
| 1966 |
“Chrismons” were completed for the annual Christmas tree. These were symbols from Christian history which refer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. |
| 1966 |
James Schoeld, pastor |
| 1967 |
The Trinity Men’s Club dissolved |
| August 1967 |
National Luther League Convention in Seattle |
| November 1967 |
The library was started under the guidance of Rachel Schoeld |
| February 11, 1969 |
It was voted to purchase property at 100 Poplar Avenue to meet the future needs of the congregation. |
| 1969 |
Golden Acres property East of the church was purchased for $5,000. |
| 1969 |
The largest registration for Sunday School ever recorded was 293. |
| April 13, 1969 |
Allen organ was given as a memorial gift |
| February 1970 |
The “Annex” was sold to the Robert Montgomery family |
| 1972 |
Congregation began sponsoring Tom & Evelyn Steenberg, missionaries in Japan |
| January 1973 |
Decision made to request an intern from the Seminary |
| July 1973 |
Luther League members attend National convention “With Eyes Wide Open’ in Houston, Texas |
| August 1973 |
First seminary intern arrived at Trinity, Paul Johnsen |
| October 21, 1973 |
40th Anniversary celebrated |
| 1973 or 1974 |
“The Koinonia Singers” were organized by intern, Paul Johnsen |
| 1974 |
Gordon Berntson, pastor |
| December 31, 1976 |
1045 Baptized 739 confirmed, 225 students in Sunday School and proposed budget was $53,460.00. |
| 1976 or 1977 |
Sunday morning radio broadcast began on KDAK |
| July 16, 1978 |
The congregation voted at a special meeting to build a new structure on the Poplar Ave. site. |
| October 1, 1978 |
The ground was broken for the new church. |
| 1978 |
Green LBW (Lutheran Book of Worship) purchased |
| December 23, 1979 |
First service was held at 100 Poplar |
1979 - Present |
| 1979 |
The bell located in front of the church at 100 Poplar was donated by members of the James River Lutheran Church when their congregation disbanded. An automatic bell ringer was installed following a fund drive. |
| April 13, 1980 |
The dedication of the building was celebrated with Bishop Nelson F. Preus delivering the message. |
| 1981 |
Kindergarten at the church was discontinued when public funding of Kindergarten began in the public school system. |
| Fall 1981 |
Trinity Friends was organized for all (especially senior citizens) for an afternoon of fellowship, singing, a variety of short programs and light lunch on the last Friday of every month |
| December 27, 1981 |
Stained glass windows – set of three on the east and three on the west walls of the sanctuary were given as gifts and dedicated. |
| 1983 |
“Search” bible study began |
| July 9 & 10, 1983 |
“Fifty Years of Faith” was celebrated. |
| 1983 |
184 Students were registered for Sunday School |
| May 24, 1985 |
Trinity Friends re-organized with Norma Berntson & Evanda Lange as co-chairmen |
| 1986 |
Robert Berthold, pastor |
| 1986 |
T.H.E.O.S. (They Helped Each Other Spiritually). Group of widows, single women and any other women met the first Thursday of the month (September – April) |
| 1986 |
Cradle Roll program reorganized (inactive for several years) |
| 1987 |
Mary Berthold, Christian Education director |
| November 16, 1987 |
Joan Covington, Associate pastor |
| December 31, 1987 |
Merger of the American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in America to become the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. |
| 1988 |
Building fund drive to reduce debt |
| June 19, 1988 |
Steven Berntson ordained at Trinity |
| August 1988 |
Task Force consisting of Evanda Lange, Donna Veen, Ruth Johnson and Louise Rindy formed to organize and write a new constitution for the church women |
| December 31, 1988 |
Baptized membership was 786 and 553 confirmed members. |
| 1989 |
With the merger of the church LYO began |
| December 31, 1989 |
Baptized membership was 684 and 444 confirmed members |
| 1990 |
Vote to call a co-pastor to Trinity. |
| May 1990 |
Trinity hosted the Carrington Cluster meeting that presented the Woman to Woman exchange speaker |
| August 1990 |
Pastor Berthold accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minnesota. |
| October 1990 |
Paul Baker, former president at Oak Grove Lutheran High School, interim pastor. |
| January 1991 |
Interim pastor Pastor Paul Baker |
| 1991 |
Memorial, personal, and audit committees began. |
| 1991 |
Lenten services were conducted by a rotation of the pastors from Trinity, First Lutheran in New Rockford, and Kvernes Lutheran Church. |
| 1991 |
A wedding handbook was written to help engaged couple plan their weddings at Trinity. |
| 1991 |
Time & Talents Inventory was distributed to church members to help increase member participation on areas of ministry which interest them. |
| February 1991 |
Peter & Karla Coen-Tuff, Co-pastors arrived. (1 2/3 full time equivalency). |
| Sept.–Dec. 1991 |
High school students ushered along with the regular ushers for both services at Trinity |
| Jan – May 1992 |
High school students ushered along with the regular ushers for both services at Trinity. |
| April 26, 1992 |
A mortgage burning ceremony was held in commemoration of the last building payment. |
| 1992 |
A Welcoming Committee was formed to help bring new members and visitors closer to the congregation. |
| July 12, 1992 |
A “Christmas in July” worship service was held to remind us of the real meaning of Christmas without all the commercialization. |
| 1993 |
An “alternative style” worship service was held once a month. |
| 1993 |
Clavanova (keyboard) given as a memorial gift began being used for services |
| 1993 |
An additional informal Saturday evening worship service was added to the schedule. |
| 1993 |
“New to worship” visitation teams were organized to insure a friendly welcome from lay people to those initiate contact with our congregation. |
| 1993 |
“Friendship pads” were added to the pews to help us get to know one another better and to more easily identify visitors. |
| 1993 |
Long Term Planning Committee formed to look at who we are and what we must do to move forward . |
| 1993 |
A member of the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) began attending the council meetings to have input in the decision making of the church future. |
| Fall 1993 |
LYO initially participated in Adopt-A-Highway project North on Highway 281. |
| December 31, 1993 |
991 Baptized members and 760 confirmed members were on the roll. |
| August 1995 |
Parish Nurse Program started |
| 1995 |
Initiated a monthly communion worship service at Golden Acres Manor for residents and families |
| 1996 |
Pastors Peter and Karla Coen-Tuff helped out as interim pastors in the Woodworth-Pingree parish the entire year. |
| January 1996 |
LYO began fund raiser on Super Bowl Sunday selling submarine sandwiches. |
| 1996 |
Repaved the church parking lots for a cost of $22,000.00. |
| 1996 |
Formed a parsonage committee to address the future needs of the church for pastoral housing. |
| 1996 |
Began a worship service with communion at Long Term Care |
| 1996 |
Word and Workout group |
| !996 |
Adam & Eve adult fellowship group |
| July 20 - 29 1996 |
Nine Trinity youth attended the National LYO gathering at the Superdome in New Orleans. |
| September 1996 |
Started using the new confirmation program developed by Pastor’s Peter and Karla consisting of Learning events, Service events and Fellowship events with small group advisors and the Pastors working together to reach these youth and inspiring them in their faith and trust. |
| Fall 1996 |
A new photo directory was made of existing members. |
| 1997 |
Began a prayer connection by remembering members on their birthdays. |
| June 29, 1997 |
Michael Pretzer, “Son of the congregation” ordained at Tri |
| 1999 |
Russ Christiansen, GIFTS interim |
| 1999 |
New parsonage at 440 McKenzie Avenue was purchase |
The current church parsonage purchased in 1999 is located 2 blocks from Trinity |
| June 1999 |
Fellowship Hall and church sanctuary recarpeted |
| August, 2000 |
Bruce Vold, pastor |
| 2000 |
Confirmed membership was 1098 and Sunday School enrollment was 140. |
| Fall 2000 |
Russ Christiansen, Intern pastor |
| 2001 |
Support of Doug & Monica Cox missionaries in Madagascar |
| June 1, 2003 |
Two year grant for Parish nurse program |
| Jan 19, 2003 |
Organization of Trinity Foundation |
| 2003-2004 |
Russ Christiansen, Intern pastor |
| April 11, 2005 |
Contract signed with Pat Roundy, webmaster, for Trinity’s website |
| 2005 |
Daily Bread Program – a food pantry for local citizens began |
| 2005 |
The women of the church purchased two glass top ranges for the kitchen. |
| 2005 |
Air conditioning unit installed in the fellowship hall. |
| August 2005 |
Pastor Sarah Voorhees began as the first Associate female pastor at Trinity. |
| January15, 2006 |
Congregation elected Dorothy Fenske, council president (first female elected as council president) |
| January 15, 2006 |
Trinity Congregation approved Pastoral and Sabbatical Plan at the annual meeting |
| 2006 |
Trinity became affiliated with the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford – Pastor Sarah on the board. |
| July 2006 |
National LYO gathering in San Antonio, Tx |
| August – October 2006 |
Pastor Vold on three month Sabbatical |
| Fall 2006 |
Red Lutheran book of Worship hymnals ordered |
| Fall 2006 |
Photos taken by Mattson Photography for new pictorial directory |
| 2006 |
Membership - baptized 1280 and confirmed 1007 |
| February 2007 |
Pastor Bruce said the opening prayer for the Senate and Pastor Sarah said the opening prayer for the House of Representatives one morning at the ND legislative session in Bismarck. |
| June 2007 |
Pastor /Sarah and a group of Trinity members travelled to Biloxi, Mississippi to help with Hurricane Katrina recovery |
| August 26, 2007 |
Pastor Sarah’s farewell following Sunday morning services. |
| Fall 2007 |
Friday Night Lights began for LYO |
| Fall 2007 |
Supported Northwood following the August 26th devastating tornado |
| Fall 2007 |
Pastor Mindy Meier preaches one Sunday a month |
| Fall 2007 |
Dave Park hired as part time Worship & Music leader (pastoral assistant). |
| January 2008 |
Pictorial directory distributed to members. |
| January 13, 2008 |
Decision made to have Carrington High School Vo-Ag students build and cement new storage shed replacing the old one. |
| January 20, 2008 |
Constitutional revisions adopted by Trinity’s members at the annual meeting. |
| August 9 & 10, 2008 |
75th Anniversary celebrated |
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