History of Trinity
A Brief History of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Creston, Iowa
50th Anniversary Booklet (View Online) (PDF)
75th Anniversary Booklet (View Online) (PDF)
This page is under construction please send comments and suggestions to history@TrinityCreston.org
(watch for pictures of all Trinity's previous pastors, coming soon!)
(updated June 8, 2012)
1923
The Rev. F. Starke
July - Services held in the home of Otto Gaidies, 405 South Division.
1925
The Rev. Otto Lossner (1925-1938) - First Pastor
November - Pastor Lossner installed as mission pastor.
1928
January 3 - Received as a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States.
July 8 - Dedication of Church Building - Purchased / Moved to Broad Street
October 17 - Formal organization of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States.
1938
The Rev. Arnold Bertram (1938-1940)
1941
The Rev. W. E. Wagner (1941)
1942
The Rev. Wilbur H. Becker (1942-1944)
1945
The Rev. Edward Heinicke (1945-1948)
1948
First Parsonage
1949
The Rev. Marvin Matzke (1949-1954)
1952
March 29 - Church on Broad Street Destroyed by Fire
1954
March 28 - Church building dedicated - 800 N Sumner Ave
1955
The Rev. Norman Laesch (1955-1957)
1958
The Rev. Donald F. Ginkel (1958-1965)
Parsonage Built
1961
December 3 - Office, Narthex, Classroom Addition to Church Dedicated
1965
The Rev. Paul A. Faga (1965-1973)
1968
Trinity Becomes Self-Supporting (District Mission Subsidy Ends)
1974
The Rev. Henry Stoll (1974-1976)
1976
The Rev. Larry D. Troxel (1976-1982)
1978
June 18 - Celebration of 50th Anniversary - 50th Anniversary Booklet (PDF)
1982
The Rev. Glen D. Meyer (1982-1996)
1986
September - Trinity Lutheran Preschool is started as a mission for the children in the area.
1990
September 3 - Fellowship Hall Dedicated
1996
The Rev. David M. McKnight (1996-1999)
2000
The Rev. David Rubke (2000-2005)
2003
October - 75th Anniversary Celebration - 75th Anniversary Booklet (View Online) (PDF)
Summer - Outdoor Worship Center Built
2008
The Rev. Jonathan C. Watt (2008-2016)
September 7 - Installation, Rev. Jonathan C. Watt
Pastors attending: Jay Wheeler, Jerry Wagoner, Don Craig, Ray Smith, Larry Boye, John Schauer, Nathan Dudley and Bill Sabol
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2012
Electronic church sign was installed in Creston.
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2014
January 12, 2014-Closing service for First Lutheran Church in Mt. Ayr. They officially joined with Trinity to become one congregation with preaching stations in Creston and Mt. Ayr.
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2016
The Rev. John B Rutz (Installed September 11, 2016)
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2017
Spring- A set of three steel outdoor crosses was placed in front of the church in Creston.
A new outdoor nativity set was purchased and used for the first time.
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2018
In 2018, Trinity celebrated 90 years as a congregation. On November 18, 2019 a special 90th Anniversary Service was held followed by a dinner.
Several of Trinity's former pastors were able to attend and participate in the service along with a couple of sons of the congregation, who are now pastors. Those who were able to attend were Rev. Larry Troxel, Rev. Glenn Meyer, Rev. Donald Ginkel, former pastors at Trinity, and Rev. Michael Breach and Rev. Martin Herzberg, sons of the congregation. A 90th Anniversary quilt (pictured below) was made by Jean Kruse, Sue Larsen, and Joyce Kruse. Each diamond shape represented a piece of Trinity's history. Guest, Craig Kruse, nephew of Warren and Jean Kruse, provided special music for the day. Thanks be to God for 90 years of blessings!
L-R Rev. John Rutz (current pastor at Trinity), Rev. Michael Breach (son of the congregation, currently serving in Wheaton, MN), Rev. Larry Troxel (pastor at Trinity from 1976-1982), Rev. Martin Herzberg (son of the congregation, currently serving in Lahoma, OK), Rev. Donald Ginkel (pastor at Trinity from 1958-1965), and Rev. Glenn Meyer (pastor at Trinity from 1982-1996).
2024
Mt. Ayr site was closed. A closing service was held on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Rev. John Rutz led the service. Members who live in Mt. Ayr assisted with closing portion of the service. The following photos are from the service.
Dec. 29, 2024 Mt. Ayr site Pastor John Rutz leading closing service Sermon by Pastor Rutz
Dec. 29, 2024 Last communion in Mt. Ayr Diane Conn reading history of the Mt. Ayr location Greg Storhoff read the statement of closure
Danny Lutrick extinguishing the Advent wreath candles Removal of Baptismal Bowl--Diane Conn Removal of Lectionary and paraments removed--Mark and Sue Larsen
Bible and paraments are removed--Greg & Crystal Storhoff Communion vessels are removed--Danny & Jeannette Lutrick Missal is removed--Dray & Missy Walter
Candles are removed--Garrett and Jaxsen Walter Processional Cross--carried by Doug Gooding After the cross was removed from the sanctuary the congregation followed to the fellowship hall.
After everyone was in the fellowship hall Pastor read these closing words:
This church building is closed as a place for Divine Services (Pastor made the sign of the cross on the door) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
