History

The following timeline uses dates and descriptions from the 75^th and 100^th anniversary directories.

• Partnership with Granton

  1874

  Lutherans living in Loyal, WI held services in their homes as early as 1874 under Rev. John Witte of Zion Lutheran Church in Granton, WI. In 1877, Pastor A.F.H. Fischer accepted the call to Zion Lutheran Church in Granton and continued services in Loyal.

• Founded

  March 22, 1883

  On March 22, 1883, Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation was organized by Pastor Fischer with thriteen charter members.

  The first church was built on a tract of land one and one-fourth miles North of Loyal purchased for $100.00 on which to erect their first church. The only remaining landmark today is the cemetary.

• Dedication

  November 18, 1883

  On November 18, 1883, with Rev. Fischer offiiciating, Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation dedicated a two story log church, with the upper story used as a living quarters for the pastor.

  On December 20, 1883, Rev. J. Meissner became the first resident pastor of the congregation.

• Early Years

  1883-1891

  • 1885: The Rev. E. Goesling becomes the Pastor of TLC. By 1886, the congregation consisted of 16 families or 116 souls and joined the Joint Synod of Ohio and Other States.
  • 1888: Student Pastor William Ganschow serves TLC.
  • 1889: The Rev. Hesse becomes the Pastor of TLC.
  • 1890: The Rev. William Reul becomes the Pastor of TLC.
• New Church

  1892-1901

  At a special congregational meeting on Novembr 6, 1892, the congregation decided to build a new church in Loyal. They voted to build a 32 ft. by 60 ft. church with 20 ft. posts. On July 23, 1893, the cornerstone was laid.

  Formal Articles of Incorporation were filed on April 17, 1894. The same year, the congregation voted to accept the Spokesville congregation, which had formerly worshipped in homes. A 10 ft. by 85 ft. horse shed was later installed on church property, and the altar and pulpit were installed in 1901.

• Expansion

  1902-1913

  • 1903: Pastor Reul organized the first Ladies Society. That same year, he accepted a call and moved to Almond, WI. The congregation then called Pastor Wm. Lange. In 1903, the congregation purchased a parsonage, and in 1904 built a little red brick school.
  • 1907: Pastor Lange was granted time to go to Christie once a month to conduct services. Within the next couple years, a horse barn was built on the parsonage lot.
  • 1910: Pastor Wm. Lange was released to accept a call to Lebanon, WI and Pasor Emil Kemena of Nasonville was called in September 1910.
  • February 7, 1911: the Ladies Aid and Mission Society was reorganized. In 1911, the congregation also installed electric lights and the water system in the parsonage.
  • 1913: The congregation voted that all children should be baptized in church, with sickness as the only excpetion. All children should also attend two years of instruction prior to confirmation. The pastor was given the option to conduct English services as appropriate.
• Present-Day Church

  1913-1914

  In August 1913, the church was struck by lightning and damaged so badly that the congregation resolved to build a new church that would seat 500 people. The congregation voted that the church should be 40 ft. by 76 ft. and not cost over $10,000.

  On June 7, 1914, the cornerstone was laid. The finished church was 20 ft. longer and cost $13,936.91 with debts amounting to $4,000. The Ladies Aid and Mission Society purchased the present altar and pipe organ.

  On November 29, 1914, Dedication Services were conducted by Pastor E. Kemena with Prof. H.K. Doerman of Luther Seminary and Pastor Wm. Lange of Watertown, WI assisting.