Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church—known in early city directories as the German evangelical Lutheran church—was organized September 10, 1871 by a group of 9 pioneers and residents of the young state capital.

On May 2, 1871 at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, a meeting of Emmanuel congregation, then a member of the Ohio Synod, was held in the parsonage. Because of doctrinal and personal differences which had become acute in the previous three years, the following resolutions were adopted.

1. The congregation shall henceforth be known as the German First (from the State unattached) Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation, unaltered Augsburg confession at Lansing, Michigan.
2. That this congregation declares the doctrine and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States as its own and petitions said synod for recognition and support.
3. That the venerable president be petitioned to give our congregations’ problems his interest and aid us with his good counsel.
4. That a delegate be sent to Synod in Detroit together with the pastor.
5. That we adjourn until Ascension Day.

This action was promptly contested and the scheduled meeting was not held, but the date marked the separation of a group of families who, under the leadership of the Reverend John Her, decisively subscribed to the above declarations. Services were now held in various homes and in the city high school building. When Pastor Her accepted a call to the East, Trinity was served by the Reverend H. Ramelow, a missionary then living at Ionia and serving Lutheran families in a wide area.

On September 10, 1871, nine charter members met and organized the congregation of Trinity Evangelical Church, Lansing, Michigan. Pastor Ramelow presided, three trustees were elected, and a secretary was chosen. The following charter members, with their families, constituted the flock: Frederick Yeutter, John Klotz Jr., John Keller, Jacob Maier, Henry Raby, John Stiefel, Carl Baier, Martin Rohrer, and John Schneider.

Pastors of the Lord’s Flock at Trinity, Lansing

• Rev. H. Ramelow, 1871-1872
• Rev. J. M. M. Moll, 1873-1877
• Rev. J. Bundenthal, 1877-1884
• Rev. Ferdinand Haeuser, 1884-1892
• Rev. Henry Schmidt, 1892-1904
• Rev. Paul F. Woldt, 1904-1930
• Rev. Philip Schroeder, 1931-1961
• Rev. Donald Morrison (assistant)
• Rev. Theo. Timler (assistant)
• Rev. William C. Huener, 1961-1972
• Rev. J. William Sippola, 1973-1982
• Rev. North P. Sherrill, 1983-1997
• Rev. Richard P. Laeder, 2000-2009
• Rev. G. Travis Downs, 2010-2021
• Rev. Robert G. Dowding, 2021-2023
• Rev. Delwyn X. Campbell, Sr., 2023–

 

Church Building

Trinity has had three houses of worship throughout her history.

The original house of worship

The first church building was a 24′ x 36′ wood-frame house of worship, built by hand, and dedicated January 7, 1872, on the land that is now the church’s main parking lot.

$735 was pledged to the original building fund, lots 7 and 8 of block 61 of Lansing were purchased November 2, 1871 for $850, and the building was raised at a cost of $85. The structure was dedicated on the first Sunday after the Epiphany, in January 1872.

Trinity’s second church building

Planning for a more durable structure were begun in 1886 (Michigan’s wooden second state capitol, by then no longer in use, had burned in December 1882) and it was dedicated in early October.

At a cost of $3,675, a new brick finish church measuring 41′ x 73′ on the same site as the original structure was dedicated on the 17th Sunday after Trinity, 1886 with both German and English services.

The building received its first organ ten years later. After being struck by lightning twice, the church installed a lightning rod in 1910.

Our current church building

Ground was broken for the third and current Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 27, 1958. The cornerstone was laid four and a half months later on December 14. (Still visible as part of the church’s front porch, the inscription reads, “TRINITY EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH / U.A.C. / A.D. 1958.”)

The building was dedicated November 15, 1959 with a valedictory service at the old church, morning dedication service, afternoon service, and an evening organ recital.

Daughter Congregations

Trinity has formed six daughter congregations in the Lansing area:

• Christ Lutheran, 1931
• Our Savior Lutheran, 1956
• Ascension Lutheran, 1956
• Good Shepherd Lutheran, 1964
• St. Matthew Lutheran, 1965
• Hope Lutheran, 1968

Centennial (1971)

On the occasion of Trinity’s centennial, letters were received from President Nixon, Governor Milliken, Mayor Gerald W. Graves, U.S. Representative Charles E. Chamberlain, President Preus of the Missouri Synod, and President Schlecht of the Michigan District.

Information on this page is taken from various booklets prepared over the years on the occasions of Trinity’s centennial, the dedication of the current church building, and other appropriate celebrations.