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"And so when we are beginning a new church, we are mindful of
God's blessing and His goodness to us, undeserved on our part
..." These words ended the first sermon at what would become
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Six months later, on February 18,
1950, HTLC was officially organized with 27 charter, members and
12 students enrolled I in Sunday School.
Early worship services were held in the American Legion Post
and, after two years, the congregation decided to purchase land
and build a structure of its own. The two-acre site on Des
Moines Street was purchased for $3,500, and construction began
shortly thereafter.
In December of 1953 the original "A-Frame" sanctuary was
dedicated. This project required over 2,000 hours of volunteer
labor to meet its budget of about $35,000.
By 1957 HTLC's membership had grown to 396 members and 174
students in Sunday School and more space was needed. Plans were
drawn to add an additional six classrooms to the North side of
the A-Frame structure.
The present sanctuary was dedicated on May 8, 1966. The
dedication service marked the end of a four-year process that
looked at all phases of worship, parish education, and
fellowship. By this time the average weekly attendance at
worship was about 250, and Sunday School enrollment was
approximately 175.
As HTLC's membership approached 2,000, the Fellowship Hall was
dedicated in 1986; this addition provided much needed space for
various groups within the congregation as well as kitchen and
fellowship space.
As we approach the next 50 years, we realize that, indeed, God
has blessed us. Today's Church school enrollment is 500 and
attendance at worship is over 800. With this in mind, we have
built for the future so we that may continue our mission to
Welcome all people to faith in Jesus Christ, Equip persons with
the strength of God's Grace, and Send us in service in Christ's
name.
Our new facility dedicated October of 2001 houses two floors of
classrooms, offices, expanded narthex and gathering space. The
"God is Here" funding campaign for this new building helped
raise 1.6 million of a total 2.6 million price tag. God is Good!
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