Trinity Lutheran Church in Guttenberg

75th Anniversary

In May of 1932, two city lots were purchased in Guttenburg, within sight of the Mississippi River, for a new Lutheran Church. A parsonage was built for worship and the Pastor. The first floor was used as the church proper and the second floor was the living quarters. The practice at the time was to observe one Gottesdienst (The Divine Service in German) each month.

On April 1, 1937, ground for the church was broken and the new building was ready in August. The building was paid for by its members and cost of $6,500.

There have been improvements to the church and parsonage throughout the years. In 1962, the church basement was remodeled and a new parsonage was constructed. A new organ was installed in 1970, a year before Trinity joined St. Paul of McGregor in a dual parish. A new addition, which included a larger narthex, an expanded basement, a ramp for persons with special needs, and new carpeting throughout, was added in 1992. In 2005 a new organ was installed and in 2006 an office addition was constructed along with an area called the “Garden of Peace”. Most recently, in 2007, a new church sign was hand crafted by member Lyle Torrey.

The Sacrament of the Altar has been celebrated each Sunday since 2005, which was the same year that a processional crucifix was donated. Many of the members are active in Bible Class as well as other activities within the church. Trinity has an active women's group called Trinity's Ladies Aid which dates back to December 1936.

Trinity Lutheran has enjoyed a number of celebrations during the past few years. In 1987, the congregation observed the 50th Anniversary of the construction of the church building. Rev. Roland Jank, Sr. delivered the sermon for that occasion. In 1997, the congregation celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Missouri Synod with a dinner followed by a special service by Rev. Gregory Eilers and games reflective of 150 years ago. For the celebration this year, Trinity is honored to have three pastors preach throughout the year: Rev. Lloyd Helland, Rev. Mark Brase and Rev. Mark Willig.

Since 1932, Trinity has had twelve pastors in all: Rev. Martin Peters (1932); Rev. Theo Frese (1942); Rev. William Reitz (1952); Rev. Wm. Thurber(1959); Rev. Otto Schultz (1962); Rev. Roland Jank, Sr.( 1971); Rev. David McKnight (1979); Rev. Mark Willig (1983); Rev. Lloyd Helland (1990); Rev. Gregory Eilers (1996); Rev. Richard von Steinman(2002); and the present pastor, Rev. David C. Zimmer (2004).

In this anniversary year, the members of Trinity rejoice in the opportunities that their gracious God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, has given to them to speak His Gospel in this community. It is their firm conviction that corporate gathering of God's people around Christ, as He ministers to sinners in Word and Sacrament, is the very foundation of the believer’s new life in Christ.