This congregation was first organized in 1899 as "Second English Evangelical Lutheran Church" and met in the A.O.U.W. hall. The first pastor was Rev. W.A. Hartman. In 1901, the congregation purchased a lot and broke ground for a new church where the present church now stands. The church was finished and dedicated in 1902 (Cost of building $ 6,963.30).
In 1906 the congregation changed its name to "Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church". In 1912 the congregation voted to enter the newly organized Synod of West Virginia. A new church building was begun in 1916 and dedicated in 1917.
In its over 100 year rich history, Trinity has had numerous pastors, some for a short time, and some staying many years:
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Rev. W.A. Hartman, 1899-1909 (called to Grace Lutheran, Pittsburgh) |
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Rev. C.A. Ritter, 1909-1912 (called to York, Pa.) |
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Rev. O.C. Dean, 1913-1919 (called to Bucyrus, Ohio) |
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Rev. Simon Snyder, 1919-1949 (died in service) |
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Rev. David E. Thomas, 1949-1952 (resigned to teach at Capitol University) |
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Rev. George W. Schillinger, D.D., 1953-1957 (called to Tripp City, Ohio) |
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Rev. William A. Renn, 1958-1962 (resigned) |
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Rev. Rudolph H. Bischoff, 1963-1980 (retired) |
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Rev. Stephen Stofcheck, 1973-1980 (served with Rev. Bischoff in Wheeling Area Shared Ministry--see below--died in service) |
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Rev. George C. Vetter, 1980-1982 (resigned, moved to Wisconsin) |
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Rev. Donald E. Hebrank, 1982-1991 (retired) |
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Rev. Ralph Dunkin, 1991-1992 (interim) |
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Rev. David Twedt, 1992-2004 (called to Capon-North River Parish, WV) |
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Rev. Roger Harms, 2005 (interim) |
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Rev. Mary J. Prather, 2006-present |
Trinity has participated in joint ministries with other churches in recent history:
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1973-1980 The Wheeling Area Shared Ministry--Trinity, First English, and Warwood shared two pastors |
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1980-1991 Yoked with Zion Lutheran Church (two churches share a single pastor) |
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1992-present Yoked with St. Matthew Lutheran, Benwood |