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| (Updated 06/09/2009)
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
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 The Robesonia Furnace Chapel was built in 1869 by Mr. Ferguson, the head of the Robesonia Furnace Company. It served the needs of German Baptists and Presbyterians in the area, and in 1893 Lutheran services were occasionally held there. In 1904, the building was used by Lutherans on alternate Sunday evenings. They became a branch of a four-point charge, the Womelsdorf Parish, under the supervision of St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church.
In 1905 the Willing Workers Sunday School Class was organized. This group purchased the corner lot at Penn Avenue & Church Street in 1908. The Lutheran Hall was built and opened in 1909.
On July 13, 1917, the Robesonia Branch of members voted to become a new congregation, the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, under the leadership of Pastor Harvey Kidd. They purchased the property from the Robesonia Iron Company for $2,500.00. In 1918, extensive renovations were made to the building and rededicated on July 21st. Pastor Harry P. Miller was the second pastor called in 1926. Weekly services began to be held on July 27, 1940, under the leadership of Pastor Elmer L. Leisey.
Through the work and efforts of the 2 Loyal Sons Bible Class, the Volunteer Bible Class, the True Blue Bible Class, and the Junior Luther League, the ministry of the church continued. Debts were paid in full, purchases were made: a booth at the Reading Fair, a new heating system, carpeting, a new organ, and other church furnishings.
In 1943, the Robesonia Lutheran Parish formed with St. Daniel’s. A parsonage was purchased in Robesonia, In 1949, the first Jehoida Chest ceremony was introduced on Rally Day, with proceeds to go to a building fund. In 1956, the church was in need of expanded Sunday School facilities, and an addition was built, at a cost of $150,000.00. The Nave was also renovated at this time. In 1957, the Robesonia Parish disbanded and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church became a single parish with Pastor Henry serving as pastor.
The Lutheran Hall was sold to the Borough of Robesonia in 1958. The $50,000.00 mortgage was paid in full in 1961, with the burning of the mortgage note held on October 22, 1961. Also, in 1960, land was purchased on Lincoln Avenue to build a new parsonage, which was then dedicated in January of 1963. In 1966 the Fortna Property space (now the parking lot), was purchased, and the parsonage mortgage was paid in full.
In 1967, Pastor Victor Kroninger was called. In 1970, a new wave of renovations to the Sunday School facilities and the Nave were required. Stained glass windows were added to the Nave. The Sunday School renovations included new ceilings, carpeting, painting, as well as a baseboard heating system.
By 1985, the church membership had grown to 657, and the decision was made to call an Assistant Pastor, served first by Pastor Rick Nelson and then Pastor Michael Peters. In 1995, the congregation, with a membership of over 1,000, decided to go a new direction by calling co-pastors; and Pastor Bill Weiser was called to serve with Pastor Michael. On February 8, 1998, the congregation broke ground again for a renovated sanctuary, Sunday School rooms and Narthex space. In June 2008, Pastor Drahomir Oslik was called as Associate Pastor.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church continues to be a church with a vision of growth in the future and continued work in Christ. Through programs with our youth, our seniors, our many ministries both inside and outside of our community, and our desire to make Trinity a welcoming place, we shall persevere in our mission to be “a community of joyful believers in Jesus Christ, experiencing God’s acceptance of us just as we are, worshiping God, and learning to live the ways of Jesus. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we strengthen and share our faith as we reach out in caring concern at home and abroad.” |
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