Trinity Lutheran Church is a member congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), an association of about 6,000 congregations located throughout the United States. We confess the faith as revealed in the Holy Scriptures and in accordance with the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
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TRINITY LUTHERAN PASTORS
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75 YEAR HISTORY OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Early Years
The Lord has guided and blessed the Trinity Lutheran Church congregation in its 60 years of ministry to its members and the community. Anniversary celebrations are excellent opportunities to briefly reflect on God’s rich grace and mercy and His special blessings. The history of Trinity reflects the Lord’s special presence and His blessings for the last 60 years.
The history of Trinity Lutheran Church dates back to 1947. At that time, Rev. R.
F. H. Pralle of Brazilton, Kansas, and many members of his congregation felt the need for a Lutheran church in Girard, Kansas, and took a canvass of the Girard-Arma area.
This canvass proved to be so successful that the Kansas District Mission Board decided to open a mission congregation in Girard. On October 16, 1947, a resolution was adopted to organize the new group to be named Trinity Lutheran Church. On November 13, 1947, the constitution was adopted and signed.
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Eighteen families from the Zion Lutheran Church at Brazilton were to make up the nucleus of this new project of faith. The original congregation consisted of these families: Mr. and Mrs. Otto Bailey, daughters Sharon and Joan; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bennefeld, son Gary; Mr. F. W. Bennefeld; Mr. Wm. T. Bennefeld; Mr. and Mrs. Amos C. Bollwinkel, daughter Barbara; Mrs. J. H. Bollwinkel; Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Bolze, children Merlin, Duane, Wanda, and Kathleen; Mr. and Mrs. John F. Bruenjes, sons LeRoy and Allen; Mrs. John Hartog, children Beverly and John; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hess; Mr. and Mrs. Lester Hess, children Ronald and Judy; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Murdock; Mrs. Frank O’Bryan, son Francis; Mrs. Anna Price, daughter Ester; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Reith, daughters Do- lores and Ernestine; Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Selle, daughters Pauline and Kathy; Mr. and Mrs. Herman Sho- maker, grandson Tommy Bivens; and Mr. and Mrs. George C. Viets, children Joan, Marlin, Deloris, and George Elliott; a total of 37 communicant members and 55 souls.
The officers of the newly organized congregation were: Elders - Irwin Bolze, John C. Hess, Alvin Selle; Trustees - Amos C. Bollwinkel, Raymond Murdock, John R. Bruenjes; Finance Committee - William Bennefeld, Lester Hess, F. W. Bennefeld; Secretary - Otto Bailey; Treasurer - Elmer Reith; Chairman - John C. Hess.
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The Rev. Edwin W. Licht of Aliceville, Kansas, was called to be the first resident pastor of the church. Rev. and Mrs. Licht and son David arrived in Girard in mid-February, and on February 22, 1948, Pastor Licht was installed before an overflow crowd of 238 people. The members of the Episcopal church kindly rented their church and parsonage to Trinity for a minimal fee to assist in this new endeavor. Their generosity was often shown to the congregation throughout the long, patient years of its infancy. Trinity’s appreciation for the acts of Christian love and kindness shown by the Episcopal church can never be ex- pressed with words.
Under the able leadership of Pastor Licht, the congregation made steady progress.
A Sunday School was organized; Saturday instruction classes for children were started; the Trinity Lutheran Guild was organized on February 27, 1948, with sixteen members; a Walther League was formed March 24, 1949; and adult instruction classes were all part of the congregational growth. On June 13, 1948, Mrs. C. F. Martens was confirmed at her home. On September 19, 1948, the first instruction class of adults and children was confirmed and received into membership. This group consisted of Albert Meyer, Della Meyer, Marie Hill, Walter Humble, Norma Jean Humble, Lorene Humble, Bet- ty June Humble, Vida D. Viets, Joan
F. Viets, Clyde Lamb, Patricia Ann Cunningham, Jean Cunningham, Mary F. Kichler and Allen C. Bruenjes. The first wedding celebrated in the new congregation was that of Peter John Kichler and Esther Maxine Russell on December 26, 1948. The first child baptized in the congregation was Tommy Joe Bivens on April 8 1948, and Linda Lou Shomaker was the first infant baptized on November 7, 1948. The first children’s confirmation class received into membership on June 3, 1951, included: Cora Kichler; Mil- ton Lentz, Gary Bennefeld, Marlin Viets, Shirley Humble, Raymond Meyer, and Merle Hill. In just this one year it became increasingly evident that a permanent house of worship would be needed.
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The congregation acquired a building site in September 1948 with the aid of a loan from the Kansas District Lutheran Mission Board. Many plans were studied by the congregation during the coming years. After five faithful years of service, Pastor Licht accepted a call to Oberlin, Kansas, in September 1952. Rev. Paul Frank of Fort Scott, Kansas, was asked to serve as vacancy pas- tor. Under his leadership, the congregation selected definite building plans. These were ap- proved in a meeting of the members of the Kansas District Mission Board. A loan of $20,000 was received from the Mission Board through its Church Extension Fund.