By Elaine Rassel
Trinity Lutheran Church was organized approximately 1878 and their Ladies Aid was organized 30 years called “Frauenferin” or “Ladies Aid” in English. The present church building they have was about a new brick church to replace the wooden church they were worshiping in was in the newspaper dated March 1, 1923. The building committee of the Trinity Lutheran Church met in Marcus Tuesday to let the contract for the new church building. Mr. Geiger of Sheldon was chosen from the eight or ten bidders. Mr. Arnold, the architect from Sioux City was present as well as others representing brick and furnace companies.
December 20, 1923–“Dedication of the Trinity Lutheran Church”. On the third Sunday in Advent, the Trinity Lutheran congregation of Amherst dedicated the new and beautiful house of worship to the service of the Triune God.
At ten o’clock, a short farewell service was given by Rev. Liten in the old church. From here a line of march was formed at the head of which walked the pastor of the church, the Rev. A.G. Liten, the ministering clergy, the holy vessels, the building committee and the Trinity choir followed. Upon arriving at the doors of the church fitting words were spoken by the pastor. The senior member of the building committee, Adam Grauer, delivered the key into the hand of the pastor who unlocked the doors.
A hymn of praise, “Now thank We All Our God,” was then sung by all as the line of march entered the church. When the head of the march neared the alter, the Bible and holy vessels were laid thereon. The dedicatory prayer was spoken by Rev. Liten. The German-English service followed. Rev. Theo. Wolfram, president of the Iowa district, Paullina, Iowa, preached the German service and Rev. H.A. Bentrup of Meriden preached the English serman.
Between the hours of twelve and two-thirty, the ladies of the congregation served a scrumptious dinner in the basement to some five hundred people.
Following this, English services were held in which the director, C.G. Barth, president of Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wis., presented the sermon. At the close of the service, the assembly was dismissed that the many people standing on the outside might also attend one of these services. Rev. Fr. Kreutz, former pastor of this congregation, now of Westgate, Iowa, preached the German sermon in the second afternoon service. Immediately following this service, supper was served.
In the evening service, the two manual Reuter Pipe Organ, purchased by the women of the congregation, was dedicated. Rev. A.H. Semman of Paullina, preached the sermon. Following the sermon, Prof. F. Lochner of Concordia Teachers College at River Forest, Ill., who had accompanied the congregational singing during all services, gave an organ recital.
During each service, the Trinity choir rendered beautiful hymns of praise.
The collection amounted to $850.
Now on October 29, 2023, the Trinity Lutheran Church will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the construction of their beautiful church. Congratulations goes to this congregation on their accomplishment of 100 years!