The Pastorate of David Cloeter
1985-1986
In October of 1985, Pastor Cloeter assumed many of the responsibilities of administrative pastor. Rev. James Rush, part-time pastor at Christ the King, Southgate, agreed to serve Trinity during the vacancy as Visitation Pastor.
Trinity’s Free Store was discontinued since there was no longer a need for it. Preparations were underway for the 125th anniversary of Trinity in 1986.
Donations were requested for an artificial Christmas tree because the City of Wyandotte banned the use of live trees in public gathering places. An artificial tree was purchased and used for the first time at Christmas, 1985.
In December, Pastor Cloeter announced that he had accepted a call to a mission congregation in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A farewell dinner and reception was held for Pastor Cloeter on January 12, 1986. During the vacancy, outside pastors served Trinity on Communion Sundays and laymen preached and served as liturgists on other Sundays. Mr. Edgar Bender was granted the authority, on an emergency basis, to consecrate the elements for Holy Communion. Rev. Rush agreed to continue as visitation pastor during the vacancy, serving hospitalized and shut in members. The Executive Director, Gerald Asmus, handled all administrative details.
In March, The Board of Christian Education began looking at staffing for the next school year. A decision was made to move Mrs. Juchartz to be first grade teacher, and to call another teacher for Kindergarten in the morning and grades three and four in the afternoon. Mr. Debrick would teach grades seven and eight in the afternoon, giving Mr. Bender afternoons for administrative work.
As part of the 125th Anniversary celebration, the congregation voted to install stained glass in the large chancel window on the east wall of the church. Architect and member, Jack Yops, used the theme “Resurrection Window” in designing the window. The panels were made in Florida at a cost of $15,000, covered by special donations. Everyone now hoped the window could be installed in time for the final anniversary celebration in October. It was….with a week to spare! A second project adopted was an on-going gathering of funds until the end of 1986, at which time the money would be divided among 17 named charities. To be added to each charity’s gift would be $125 from the church treasury. At the end of the year the donations totaled $6,800. Adding the $2,125 from the treasury, each charity received $525.
On April 27, 1986, Ralph Gehner was honored in the church services and with a dinner reception, recognizing the 20th anniversary of his ministry, serving the Lord through teaching and music.
June brought not only sunshine and warmer weather, but also the exciting news that Rev. Paul Wargo of Prince of Peach Lutheran Church in Clare, Michigan, had accepted Trinity’s call to be pastor. The date set for his installation, July 13, 1986, was especially significant as it also marked the anniversary of the day in 1861 when Trinity congregation was formally organized.
Trinity’s youth wrote and led a worship service in June. They were also kept busy making tissue flowers for Trinity’s float which would be in the Wyandotte 4th of July Parade.
On June 17 a special Voters’ meeting was called for the purpose of making Constitution and By-laws changes which would officially change the governmental structure as tested during the past two years. The changes were approved. A budge to $369,070 was approved for the 1986-1987 fiscal year.
The Pastorate of Paul E. Wargo
1986-1992
Pastor Wargo was installed on July 13, 1986, by Rev. John M. Hirsch, Vice President of The Michigan District LC-MS. The Rev. Warren B. Arndt, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Troy was the preacher and Pastor Terry Cashmer of Christ the King, Southgate was liturgist. A potluck supper and welcoming reception was held after the service where the congregation met their new pastor, his wife, Judy and their four children: William, 13, Phillip, 10, Andrew, 8, and Jennifer, 4.
Pastor Wargo was excited about coming to a parish with a Day School as he had fifteen years experience as a Lutheran elementary and high school teacher before he became a pastor. A native of Detroiter and graduate of Nazareth Lutheran School, he graduated from Concordia, River Forest in 1963. He married Judy, also a River Forest graduate and teacher, while they were both teaching at Our Redeemer School Muskegon, Michigan. They came to Detroit in 1968, where Pastor taught at Lutheran High West and Judy at Hosanna-Tabor, Redford. In 1972 he became part of the original faculty of newly opened Lutheran High North, in Mt. Clemens. In 1979 he completed his colloquy program and became pastor of a dual parish in Clare and Harrison, Michigan, later becoming full-time pastor at Clare.
A graduate of Trinity’s Day School and a fifth generation member of the congregation, Miss Jennifer Grahl, accepted Trinity’s call to be Kindergarten teacher, teaching grades three and four in the afternoon, and assist in the sports program. She was installed on September 7, 1986.
A computer and printer were purchased for the church office. Bulletins and newsletters were now typed on the computer and stencils made from the print-out. The office operated with 52 hours of secretarial time.
In October the land contract on the home at 523 Oak, next to the parsonage, was paid off and in November the house was razed with the intention of making parking facilities on the property as soon as feasible.
November of 1986 brought another change, with communion being offered for the first time in individual cups, on the fourth Sunday of the month. The common cup would still be used on the second Sunday and at all special services.
Voters gave approval in December to establish an Endowment Fund for the purpose of providing financial support for the growth of the congregation’s ministry and outreach. It was also decided to undertake two additional anniversary projects. The first, to erect more visible signs that would identify the church and the school to the public; the second, to provide outdoor lighting of the buildings at night. The signs were installed in December. Voters also gave approval to selling the property at 427 Oak Street, and approved job descriptions drawn up for a Senior Pastor and a Principal.
The 125th Anniversary Celebration
The year 1986 was a significant year in Trinity’s history in that it brought a ten-month period of celebration of the 125th anniversary of Trinity as a congregation. Planned by Steering committee members Gerald Asmus, Martin Kowitz, Viola Decker and Fritz Zorn, along with many sub committees, each month was given a sub-theme under the celebration theme, “How God Has Blessed Us!” A banner was made for each month and hung in the church to depict the emphasis of the month. Activities to carry out the monthly themes were planned.
January was designated as “Heritage Month.” A German Dinner was held and guests were encouraged to come in ethnic costumes. The Greater Detroit Germania Club provided a program in which their members demonstrated German Folk dances and wore authentic costumes of German Dress.
“Family Month” was the February theme, and a “Winter Picnic” took place in the school gum, complete with basket lunches, picnic games and fun.
Auxiliary organizations were the focus of the March celebration, with special recognition in both worship services and a reception, in their honor, between services.
A two-fold emphasis in April recognized all pastors who had served Trinity, and also stressed the importance of music in the church. Former pastor of Trinity, Rev. John Obeda, came from Canada to preach on the celebration Sunday and former teacher and organist, Charles Storck, was guest organist on April 17.
“Confirmation” was the May theme, and a Confirmation Reunion Sunday was held. Many former members joined in the reunion service and attended the reception held for them. Memento certificates were given to all past and present confirmands. A Mother-Son banquet was also held during this month where the participants enjoyed “looking back,” through old-time movies obtained from the Beacon Memorial Library collection.
June was filled with anniversary activities. To mark Graduation month, all Trinity members graduating this year were honored. These included graduates from Kindergarten through college. Trinity was given the opportunity to display its historic artifacts in exhibits at The Wyandotte City Hall and at the Wyandotte Historical Museum. A Father-Daughter Banquet was held on June 8.
Wyandotte’s 4th of July Parade offered the opportunity to witness through a float. Congregation members assisted the youth counselors and youth in making a float which carried the theme “Reaching Out-Serving the Lord.” Trinity youth and adults marched with the float, carrying banners which depicted the 125th anniversary sub-themes. July’s theme was “One Nation Under God.”
Under the theme of “Community Appreciation Month” a Block Party and Pig Roast was held on August 10, to which neighbors living near the church were issued invitations. The day was rainy, but the good food and entertainment made it a most enjoyable day. A balloon “fly-away” was held, with participants signing name and address cards on each balloon released. Responses were later received from Brockport, New York, where some of the balloons had landed. A choral presentation entitled “Liberty” ended the day’s festivities.
“Christian Education” was emphasized as part of the September celebration, with all professional and volunteer teachers of Day School, Sunday School and other classes honored in the worship services and at a reception.
The grand finale of the ten-month celebration came in October. An Anniversary Service and Dedication of the Resurrection Window was held on Sunday, October 5, 1986, at 3:00 p.m. Noted Lutheran Hour speaker, Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, was the guest preacher and Pastor Wargo the liturgist. Another highlight of the service was the singing of a hymn, “Oh Trinity.” Both the musical score and the words were written for the occasion by member Richard Hepner, a high school student.
Following the Festival Service the pastors, banner carriers and Anniversary Committee members led a procession of the congregation and guests up Fifth Street to Roosevelt High School where the celebration banquet was held. It was a very dramatic way of sharing the joy felt on this very special day the Lord had given. Even the weather was and added blessing, for it was the first sunny day Wyandotte had experienced after twenty-six consecutive days of rain! Wyandotte Cable videotaped the entire event and later broadcasted and edited account on Wyandotte Cable Television. Videotapes, audio cassettes and a Book of Memories were also placed on file. A photo album of all the year’s special activities was also prepared by Trinity’s “resident photographer”, William Lange.
At the banquet, congratulatory messages were conveyed to the people from U. S. President, Ronald Reagan, Michigan Governor, James Blanchard, Michigan District LC-MS President, John Heins, and other state and church dignitaries. Old memories were rekindled in notes from former pastors, teachers and members. Former Pastor Walther Pieper, in attendance, recalled past experiences and events.
Closing remarks reminded everyone that the official celebration was over, but the work of the Lord was to begin anew with excitement and anticipation for the challenges that lie ahead. “God has truly blessed Trinity…and we begin the coming years with faith in continued blessings as we serve Him.”
The year of 1987 brought many outreach events and changes to Trinity. The parking lot along with the playground was paved. Trinity sponsored along with other circuit churches, a mission church in the Taylor area, we pledged $3.25 each member for three years at that time we had 1000 members. Trinity participated in LCMS “Alive in Christ” program in which $11,000.00 was raised. Enrollment in the school was up so the third and fourth grade was split into individual classes. Many improvements were made to the School building during this year and a special rededication service of the School building was held.
On June 1st, 1987, Edgar Bender celebrated his 30 year anniversary as Teacher and Prinicipal. He was recognized for his dedication to the Lord’s work.
Ervin Schachel, certified Lay Minister, was called to be Director of Special Ministries. On August 26, 1987, the Voters’ Assembly granted the authority to Mr. Schachel to consecrate the elements for Holy Communion in the absence of a pastor.
A taped ministry program was established in November. Services were recorded and “Shut-ins” were given a recorder and new tapes weekly. This still continues today.
In December, Trinity’s secretary, Lou Greenwood retired after many years of service. Also in December, a monthly “Shut-in” service was established in which the homebound were given transportation to the service.
During the year of 1988 the Senior “Vintage Group” was organized with the idea of having social activity for seniors every month.
On April 18, 1988, a set of 37 hand bells were purchased to establish a Bell Choir under the direction of Ralph Gehner. The bells were paid for by memorial funds.
Trinity established a notification phone system to inform the congregation of important messages or in the event of a death.
On April 4, 1989, Pastor Wargo was recognized for 25years in ministry. On June 18, Mrs. Helga Juchartz was recognized for 20 years in teaching.
In September of 1989 a Saturday evening service was established, this still continues today.
On April 15, 1991 a decision was made to withdraw for the Lutheran High School Association and replace it by establishing a Scholarship Fund for our students.
October 3rd a preschool was established that Trinity operated but leased to a private individual at the cost of $1.00 a year. This was thought to be a good idea as it was open to the community in hopes that they would attend Trinity.
There was lots of changes for Trinity in the year of 1992, Edgar Bender resigned as Principal but remained as teacher.
On June 29th, 1992, Pastor Wargo accepted a call. During the vacancy the pulpit was usually filled by visiting pastors on Communion Sundays and Mr. Douglas Wieneke, Edgar Bender, Ervin Schachel preached on other Sundays and services. Attendance was kept at about 90%.
In December, the Vintage Group established its Christmas Food Basket program for the needy. Names of the needy families came from the church and from the Wyandotte Public School. This program is funded by donations and a Thrivrent Grant. This program continues today