The Beginnings
1861-1863
Wyandotte's beginnings are traced back to the village established by the Wyandot Indians around 1730 and called by them "Manquaqua." In 1818 the Indians ceded the area to the United States. Wyandotte as a Wayne County village had its birth in 1854. In the years immediately prior to 1861, there were those in and near Wyandotte who looked toward the founding of a Lutheran congregation here.
The first book of official pastoral acts shows the earliest Baptism and Burial records. These ministerial acts were performed by Lutheran pastors who came on occasion to Wyandotte, in the manner of travel of a hundred years ago, serving a few Lutherans here with Word and Sacrament in the German language. Prominent in these beginnings were Pastor J. A. Huegli of Old Trinity in Detroit and Pastor H. Lemke of St. Peter's, Roseville, later called Halfway, now the city of East Detroit.
Lutheranism was definitely established in Wyandotte in the year marked by the start of the American Civil War. Trinity congregation was formally organized on July 13, 1861, when 29 names were signed to the preliminary "statues" drawn up in the German language. These rules were soon superseded by more fully detailed regulations.
The name "Trinity" was adopted December 21, 1861 and a congregational constitution approved. Also at this meeting the congregation's first property was purchased. A price of $25.00 was paid to the Eureka Iron Company for the plot on the south-east corner at Oak and Fifth Streets, where Trinity Community Building now stands. The $25.00 figure seems to have been but a token price, since lots were selling at $200.00 and $300.00.
On April 26, 1862, a resolution was passed authorizing the erection of a building for church and school purposes. The church-school building was dedicated on September 15, 1862. Stated value of Trinity's property was $1000.00. In the congregation's record other details are scarce.
Early in 1863 a plan for religious instruction for children was drawn up which involved week-day evenings and certain periods on Saturdays and Sundays in the church-school building.
On March 23, the congregation decided to call its own full-time pastor. The salary was set at $25.00 per month plus housing. Pastor R. Biedermann declined the call. Thereafter John Walther, a ministerial candidate and nephew of Dr. C. F. W. Walther, one of the Missouri Synod's founders, accepted the call to Trinity. He was installed as first pastor here on September 15, 1863.
The Pastorate of John Walther
1863-1867
Early in 1865, the year of President Lincoln's assassination, the congregation suffered mismanagement in its affairs. Some church officers were dismissed; others resigned. The issue of adherence to anti-Christian lodges was painfully alive. On May 21 the congregation resolved not to join the Missouri Synod because the Synod's constitution stood against lodge affiliation, and some of Trinity's most prominent members were Free-masons.
A "school festival" was held in 1865, and event which foreshadowed Trinity's parochial school interest. Also in this year, the lot adjacent to the original property was purchased, providing the site for a future parsonage.
In the year 1866 the interest in the school resulted in plans for a definite curriculum and in a resolution to call a fulltime teacher at a salary of $35.00 per month. Apparently, the pastor at this time handled whatever teaching was being done.
Beginning in 1867 strict membership records were kept. Presumably because of the lodge issue, certain members has persistently attacked Pastor Walther's ministerial stand and brought forth slanderous accusations.
Wyandotte was incorporated as a city in 1867. This same year saw both the arrival of Trinity's first school teacher and the departure of Trinity's first pastor.
Official acts by Pastor Walther totaled: 163 baptisms, 49 confirmations, 13 marriages, 57 burials.
The Pastorate of M. Halboth
1868-1871
When Pastor Halboth was installed on August 1, 1868, Trinity's membership total stood at 60. It was resolved on January 17, 1869, to enlarge the church building and on April 18 to erect the first separate school building. These two projects were carried out at a combined cost of about $1,740.00
On July 5, 1871, ten years after its founding, Trinity congregation resolved to affiliate with the synod to which it still adheres, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Pastor Halboth, in October of 1871, accepted a call to Dearborn, Michigan. The congregation expressed reluctance to let him go but acknowledged the wisdom of his decision, "Because here his life was in danger." This last sorry note is apparently an echo of the tense and troubled times of Pastor Halboth's brief ministry here. Yet this also foretold the future stress and strain upon the still struggling congregation.
Official acts by Pastor Halboth totaled: 157 baptisms, 29 confirmations, 21 marriages, 40 burials.
The Pastorate of G. Markworth
1871-1887
Pastor G. Markworth came from Watertown, Wisconsin, and was installed here in November of 1871. His pastorate lasted sixteen years, a period marked by severe trials that helped to undermine his health.
At this time several resolutions were passed by the congregation's Voters Assembly that are worthy of note. Among these were the following: "The pastor or the congregation shall act as chairman of the meetings;" "Members of so-called secret societies (lodges) cannot be members of our congregation." Other decisions and reactions on membership matters generated continual unrest.
Noteworthy in a positive way was the inauguration in congregation meetings of studies on the Augsburg Confession.
In July, 1872, Teacher Glaser accepted a call to Indianapolis, Indiana. Pastor Markworth taught school that fall until the new teacher, Mr. J. Walt, arrived in November. At this time, also, the congregation built its first parsonage, locating it on the additional lot that had been purchased on 1865. The cost of the parsonage was about $400.00.
The year 1873 is termed a "stormy" one. Among other matters of membership, the congregation's stand against the newly-formed Arbeiter Society caused controversy. And yet the congregation gradually increased in number, more that one hundred members being listed at this time.
An unusually dark period of struggle and strife within the membership reached through the succeeding years until about 1878. Severe problems of church discipline and delinquency at times involved attitudes and practices that were not Christian.
A new school teacher came in September, 1878, to serve long and well. He was Mr. G. C. Bernthal, successor to Teacher Walt, who had resigned some six months before.
On November 12, 1880, a new pipe organ was dedicated, replacing the old reed organ. The cost $1000.00 was met by free-will offerings, in contrast to the "tax" system still prevalent in other congregation finances.
In May of 1881 purchase was made of the lots on the southwest corner at Oak and Fifth Streets, the site on which the new church was later built and onto which the first parsonage was later moved.
After discussing for a year whether to erect a new school or a new church, the congregation resolved on May 8, 1882, to build a new church. This resolution was carried out six years later.
In the fall of 1882 Wyandotte suffered a severe siege of scarlet fever, a disease then largely uncontrollable. The malady took the lives of a number of Trinity children, and the congregation's school was temporarily closed.
The year 1885 witnessed more difficulties with church discipline case, and also with school matters involving parents and pupils. Another ruling at this time showed the legalistic tendency anew. This was to the effect that men eligible, but persistently unwilling, to attend Voters Assembly meetings, be barred from Holy Communion. This could serve but to augment existing unrest.
In 1887 Trinity congregation reluctantly agreed to the departure of Pastor G. Markworth, whose sixteen years at Trinity were years of severe trial and resultant ill health.
Official acts by Pastor G. Markworth totaled: 898 baptisms, 374 confirmations, 118 marriages, 280 burials.
The Pastorate of J. J. Bernthal
1887-1897
In June, 1887, Pastor J. J. Bernthal of Fairbault, Minnesota, accepted the call as Trinity's fourth pastor. He was to serve for ten years.
The year 1887 brought several projects to improve the properties of the congregation. Also, the need for helping parish's poor members was more clearly recognized and more fully met. Three almoners (Armenpfleger) were chosen to administer a special alms fund.
Church-building hopes at last became an official resolution, on September 4, 1887, to build a brick church on the property purchased in 1881. Pastor Bernthal had the task of contacting the Cleveland, Ohio, architect-builder, Mr. Griese, in regard to cost of erection. Each member was to give $25.00 for the purpose by April 1, 1888. The stipulation was that the building be patterned after a church built by Mr. Griese in Oak Harbor, Ohio.
On January 16, 1888, the contract for the new church building was signed with Mr. Griese. He was the lowest bid, $10,411.00. Later, because of excavation depth, greater than anticipated at the south end of the church plot, the cost increased to about $10,600.00. The cornerstone was laid on the afternoon of June 5; Pastor Schatz of Zion Church, Detroit was the speaker. The Monroe Furnace Co. agreed to install a furnace at the cost of $320.00. The interior furnishings of the new church, costing $465.00, were supplied by a Mr. Adolf.
Three church bells were presented by individuals. The cost was about $900.00. They were purchased form the firm of Stukstete in St. Louis, Missouri, Trinity's custom of ringing the bells to signal members' deaths also began at this time.
On the 17th Sunday after Trinity the new house of God was dedicated. Lutherans came from Adrian, Monroe, Sandy Creek, Waltz, and Detroit. In the afternoon the preacher was Pastor Dreyer of Fraser and in the afternoon Pastor F. Tresselt of Detroit. In the evening Pastor C. Francke of Monroe preached in the English language. (This is the first mention in the records of an English service at Trinity.)
The year 1888 was also filled with other phases of church life, some good, some sad. Once again some members left the congregation, in part because of lodge affiliation, in part because of the church-building program. On the other hand, the building of Kingdom of God proceeded. Teacher Gruhl had for some years conducted an afternoon Sunday school in Trenton, and through Trinity's teachers came the first efforts that eventually resulted in the formation of St. Paul's congregation there. Also in this year Pastor Bernthal began to preach every other Sunday in River Rouge, and then called Anchorville. Thus began what today is Christ Church there.
In 1889 a determined effort was begun to liquidate the church building debt. Records mention also for the first time the Ladies Aid Society (Frauenverein), which was active in supplying and maintaining altar furnishings for the church.
Distressing again in 1890 were acute problems of indifference and apathy on the part of Trinity members. There were instances of strife between certain members and the pastor, necessitating an official inquiry by the synodical Visitor (Counselor), Pastor A. C. Bauer. These sorry phased persisted into the year 1892. Further steps were taken, also, to strengthen the stand against lodgery, especially through use of a printed pamphlet against the Arbeiter Society.
Positive developments in 1892 included legal incorporation proceedings, conversion of the old frame church building into two-classroom facilities, and the designation of the original church-school building as a hall for meetings of a newly-formed men's group.
The year 1893 was on of severe economic depression throughout the country, and locally in Wyandotte. For some time pastor's and teacher's salaries remained unpaid, and the poor in general were hard pressed.
More dissatisfied Trinity members severed their connection with the congregation in 1894 and 1895. Some peace and progress ensued at Trinity, the economic life of the people brightened somewhat, and further interior decorating enhanced the church building. Mention is made of building a horse-shed for "parking" purposes.
In 1896 the congregation collected monies for the relief of members who suffered during a tornado which had struck the area.
The year 1897 brought noteworthy events to Trinity congregation. In the spring there was the observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Missouri Synod. Also the old parsonage, built in 1872, stood in great disrepair, the congregation resolved to renovate it, rather than build a new one. Meanwhile, Pastor Bernthal, after ten years at Trinity, accepted a call to St. Trinity in Casrondelet, near St. Louis, Missouri.
Official acts by Pastor J. J. Bernthal totaled; 421 baptisms, 278 confirmations, 80 marriages, 120 burials.
The Pastorate of F. C. Bauer
1897-1927
On October 31, 1897, a call was extended to Pastor F. C. Bauer of Hillsdale, Michigan. He accepted the call and was installed as Trinity's fifth pastor on the first Sunday in Advent. Pastor Bauer served Trinity for thirty years, the longest pastorate in Trinity's history. It is mainly his 50-year German historical booklet of 1911 from which we have drawn our present account. Because the parsonage was still being renovated and enlarged, the Bauer family was for a time guests at Teacher Bernthal's home.
Not until January of 1898 could the pastor's family move into the renovated parsonage and the new pastor himself delve deeply into the duties of his new given assignment. He mentions his own misgivings, but also the Lord's hand in seeing him through them. The year 1898 was also when the Spanish-American War began.
In the summer of 1899 Trinity held a mission festival jointly with Christ Church, River Rouge, in a grove near the latter church. In this year also Trinity Ladies Aid Society bore the cost of a cement sidewalk on the Oak Street frontage of the property.
In 1900 several members left the congregation because two school teachers were being retained when funds were so low. There was "much ado" over this matter, but finally, in May, Teacher Gruhl, who had served Trinity nineteen years, was asked to seek another position. He found acceptable the work of superintendent at the Lutheran Home for the Aged in Monroe.
On July 14, 1901, Trinity observed its fortieth anniversary with special services. German sermons were delivered by Pastor H. F. C. Otte and Pastor G. Moehring, and English by Pastor G. Clauss. English worship was now definitely introduced, scheduled for the evening on the last Sunday of each month.
In August of 1902, Teacher Bernthal accepted a call to serve Christ Church in St. Louis, Missouri. He had been at Trinity nearly twenty-four years. This departure of the only teacher left his duties temporarily upon Pastor Bauer, who, however, became ill, so that school sessions were dropped. Teacher J. G. Appoldt came to Trinity from Frankenlust, Michigan, at the end of 1902.
Not only Pastor Bauer, but also many other Trinity people felt the siege of severe illness in 1902 and early in 1903. Teacher Appoldt stayed only six months, accepting a call to Monitor, Michigan, in July, 1903. During this year, and also in 1904, Trinity again lost some of its members through the issue of lodgery and for other reasons.
In 1905 electric lighting was installed in the school building, the old hall, and the parsonage.
After some six months of intermittent discussion, it was resolved at a special meeting on July 29, 1906, to build a new school. During 1906, also, the congregation was assessed its share of the first paving of Oak Street.
On February 17, 1907, it was resolved to adopt the school building plans submitted by Mr. B. C, Wetzel, a Detroit architect. To clear the plot at the southeast corner of Oak and Fifth Streets, the two old buildings were sold.
On March 25, 1908 the new two-story school building was dedicated at special services. Pastor G. Spiegel, District President, preached in German, and Pastor H. Frincke in English.
Early in 1911 Pastor Bauer and Trinity's Church Council began planning for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the congregation's founding. Former Trinity pastor, G. Markworth, now aged, was invited to attend the anniversary services as guest of honor. Former school teachers of Trinity, as well as all nearby sister congregations, were likewise invited! A jubilee Thank offering was arranged to show the gratitude of Trinity members to the Lord of the Church for fifty years of grace.
During Pastor Bauer's earlier ministry at Trinity, up to the 50th anniversary year, there were 416 Baptisms, 364 confirmations, 127 marriages, and 174 burials.
On January 1, 1911 the congregation numbered 1073 Baptized members including 733 communicants and 157 listed voting members. Enrollment in the Day School was 51, with one teacher, J. A. C. Winterstein.
At this point, in May 1911, Pastor Bauer concludes his German history of Trinity's first fifty years. He does so with a knowing look at what God wrought despite all the weaknesses of men. Our present account to this point is based upon his booklet, of which we now possess only several copies.
When the 1888 church was erected, illumination was by gas-light. At length, late in 1913, electric lighting was installed. Electricity was used then also for the church organ. Thus ended the time-honored manpower method of pumping for the organ bellows (Balgentreter).
The entry of the United States into World War I in 1917 meant military service for many of Wyandotte's men, including some from Trinity Congregation. Among those from Wyandotte who sacrificed their lives was a Trinity member Edward C. Headman, after whom a local American Legion post is named.
In 1917 Miss Clara Bauer, the Pastor's daughter, was appointed as temporary assistant to Mr. Braun in the school. Then in 1918 Trinity congregation called a second permanent teacher. This was Mr. F. W. Kowitz, who came from Lorain, Ohio. Mr. Kowitz has now (1961) served his Lord as teacher here for 43 years, assisting in numerous ways beyond the sphere of the classroom.
After being retained for 57 years, since the congregation’s founding, the unscriptural taxation system for supporting church work was finally abolished in 1918. The happily discarded policy had all along brought untold problems and prolonged controversies. Envelope sets for free-will offerings were now introduced on a monthly basis.
A statistical note set down in 1924 shows that since the congregation's founding in 1861 there had been 2413 Baptisms, 627 marriages, 817 burials, and 55,564 as the total number communed.
The Double Pastorate of
F. C. Bauer and C. J. Krahnke
1926-1927
By the grace of God the congregation grew steadily. This, however, brought ever-increasing strain upon the already-impaired health of Pastor Bauer. Consequently, the congregation in 1926 called as second pastor the Rev. C. J. Krahnke of Detroit, who for a time continued also in Institutional Mission work nearby.
Trinity's regularly-called workers now numbered four, two pastors and two teachers. Special impetus was given to ministering to souls in the English language. Evening services in English were conducted every Sunday, and a midweek Bible class was scheduled. The latter continued for about nine years.
In September, 1926, Trinity Congregation saw the beginning of its Sunday school. At that time it was feared by many as a threat to the Day School. But through the years the Lord has used these two agencies side by side to maintain Christian education for Trinity's children.
In 1927 came the resignation of Pastor Bauer, who had served the Lord here for thirty years, longer than any other pastor. Thus ended a long and faithful ministry. Pastor Bauer's official leave-taking was reluctantly set as August, 1927. The congregation declared him Pastor Emeritus and continued his salary to the end of the year.