| December 1, 1882 |
Norwegian Lutheran Trinity Church was founded |
The founders and their families numbered 42. |
| December 15, 1882 |
Constitution adopted |
This constitution remained in effect until 1909 when the congregation became known as Trinity Lutheran Church. |
| February 4, 1883 |
First Sunday school class was held |
Four adults and six children were present. Within a few days so many more enrolled that by February 11 four more teachers were required. |
| July 6, 1884 |
First Service held in the first church |
The building was a "bare bones" structure. |
| February 10, 1890 |
Women of Trinity granted the right to vote
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This was far ahead of the passage of women's suffrage in the 1920's. |
| 1891 |
First mission Sunday |
Mission and outreach have always been an important part of Trinity's mission |
| August 4, 1895 |
First service in the second church
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The original building was moved to the east end of the original lot so that new church could be built in its place. |
| 1898 |
First organized choir introduced
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This choir consisted of 16 to 18 young people interested in singing. |
| December 25, 1915 |
First service held in the third church |
This building would seat 750 on the main floor and have a balcony. |
| November 1914 |
Trinity's first parish paper is published
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Titled "The Trinity Lutheran" this publication contained eight pages with three pages of ads in English, but the text was 50/50 English and Norwegian. |
| 1919 |
First pipe organ to serve the Trinity Congregation installed |
It cost $4,500 and was a Votteler-Holtkamp organ, a gift of the Young People's Society. It was completely destroyed with the church sanctuary in the fire on April 5, 1950. |
| March 21, 1919 |
Trinity and First English Lutheran, of Moorhead, merged to become Trinity Lutheran Congregation
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The agreement stated "the official language... shall be the English language." |
| October 23, 1920 |
Trinity's second parish paper is published
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Titled "The Trinity Messenger" with front page articles including "If Christ Came to Moorhead" and "Reformation Festival." |
| 1926 |
First worship services broadcast on the radio |
The initial radio broadcasts were discontinued due to the economy but were later resumed in 1938 at the request of congregation members. |
| November 1934 |
Trinity's third parish paper is published
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Titled "Trinity Lutheran Messenger" with front page articles including "God's Pence" and "Three Days of Missionary Opportunity." |
| April 1950 |
Trinity Lutheran Congregation becomes Trinity Lutheran Church of Moorhead
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| April 5, 1950 |
A fire erupts at the church
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Pastor Jacobson prayed, "Father, all my strengths has been used; You'll have to take over." One man walked over to Jacobson, put his arm on his shoulder and said, "We'll build it bigger and better." And they did. |
| September 30, 1951 |
Cornerstone laid for the fourth church |
Today's church has contents from the churches built in 1884, 1895 and 1915. Seating 650 plus 300 in three galleries and 300 in the education building with the 78-foot tower, dating to 1898, is the base of a lighted cross that peaks at 102 feet. |
| 1955 |
First television Bible class airs |
Bible study is an integral part of Trinity's mission. |
| 1957 |
New pipe organ installed |
This $40,000 pipe organ of 33 ranks was dedicated at the 75th Anniversary of Trinity, and was a unique organ for the area. |
| September 15, 1974 |
First contemporary service introduced
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| Palm Sunday 1981 |
Trinity hears the newly remodeled organ for the first time.
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The organ continues to serve the congregation and community as it leads and inspires congregational worship, and serves as a teaching and recital instrument, both for the church and Concordia College. |
| 1987 |
Lost and Found Ministry founded
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Thea Gullings, a member of Trinity, left a funds to Trinity to be used for a ministry to help the chemically dependent and their families. |
| January 20, 1991 |
First service in the newly built Christian Life Center
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The first contemporary service was held in the Christian Life Center at 11:30 am and was called Worship, Too! |
| January 28, 1990 |
Trinity changes mission statement
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This new mission statement stands today. |
| 2002 |
Small Group Ministry developed with the Trinity Foundation
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The funds of the Trinity Foundation were used for research, training, salary for the SGM assistant, and materials. |
| September 14, 2005 |
First Taizé service held in the sanctuary |
This type of worship is a deeply moving candlelight service of music, silence, scripture, prayer, and Holy Communion. |
| January 28, 2007 |
Trinity announces being debt free |
At the annual meeting, Pastor Steve Wold announces that a member had walked into his office and asked how much was still owed on the mortgage. Wold responded, "$6,500." The person wrote a check for that amount. Everyone at the final meeting of the first 125 years smiled as the symbolic Mortgage Burning took place. |
