Trinity Lutheran Church of Erie had its humble beginning in the autumn of 1881. It was at that time that a Christian layman, John Kuppler, appeared before a North East, Pennsylvania meeting of the Buffalo District Pastoral Conference of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. He appealed for a mission to be established in his hometown of Erie. The request was granted and members of the Pastoral Conference alternated in serving the new Erie mission.
It was Pastor John Sieck of Buffalo who conducted the very first worship service of Trinity on September 8, 1881. Services were held in a hall on the southeast corner of 11th and State Streets. That same autumn a provisional constitution was adopted under the direction of Pastor John Sieck.
Pastor Henry Sieck of South Bend, Indiana, was called and in the spring of 1882 was installed as the first resident pastor. The first congregational meeting was held on June 6, 1882, when a permanent constitution with by-laws was formally adopted.
The first property was acquired in 1882 and consisted of a parsonage located on the southwest corner of 6th and Myrtle Streets. The front room of the residence was converted into a chapel at which regular Sunday services were held. That same year a lot on West 7th between Myrtle and Chestnut was leased for a three-year period and a frame church measuring 28 x 44 feet was erected on the site. In 1885, the church was transported to a more desirable location on West 11th Street between Myrtle and Chestnut. Also in the year 1885, Trinity’s first Christian Day School was established with teacher O.Lange presiding.
In 1886, Pastor Sieck accepted a call to the congregation in Silver Creek, New York and on July 18, 1886, Pastor C. Morhart was installed. Two years later, in 1888, the congregation became self-sustaining and at the convention of the Eastern District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod at Buffalo, New York, on July 18, 1888, Trinity was received into membership of Synod. In 1890, a lot adjoining the church was acquired and in 1892 a parsonage was erected on the site.
In July 1892, Pastor Morhart left for Washington D. C. and Pastor Carl Ruppel of Quebec, Canada was installed. He served until July of 1894, when due to ill health he resigned from office. Pastor G. Johannes of Baltimore, Maryland was then installed on January 15, 1895, and served until he resigned due to ill health in 1899. On March 12, 1899, Pastor T. Keyl of Newfane, NY was installed as pastor.
On October 23, 1904, the cornerstone of the 11th Street church was laid and the dedication of the new edifice took place in August 1905. The original church building was moved to the rear of the property and was converted into a schoolhouse.
In October 1906, Pastor Keyl accepted a call to Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was succeeded by Pastor R. Von Niebelscheuetz the same year. He served until May 1908, when he suffered a stroke. In October 1908, Pastor M. H. Heman became the pastor and served until October of 1911. In January 19, 1912, Pastor F. H. Schwandt of New Berlin, Illinois was installed and served faithfully for 15 years, leaving in May of 1927.
The following week, May 22, 1927, Pastor H. W. Rueger of Sebringville, Ontario, was installed as Trinity’s ninth pastor. In 1947, at Pastor Rueger’s insistence, the congregation decided to call another individual as lead pastor. Rev. Carl A. Scheuerman of St. Louis, Missouri, accepted the call and was installed November 21, 1948. In December 1949, Pastor Rueger, after 22 years of faithful and dedicated service to Trinity, accepted a call to become assistant pastor in Rochester, New York, and to also serve as institutional missionary in that area.
It was about this time that the constitution and by-laws were translated from German to English. The original name literally translated was “German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation” and was changed and incorporated as “Trinity Lutheran Church of Erie, PA.”
In the early 1950’s, members of Trinity recognized the inadequacy of the West 11th Street location and the changing community. Realizing that “they who labor in the cause of the Master with poor tools squander His mercy,” a program for relocation was initiated. Highly desirable property at 38th and State Streets was purchased and the 326 West and 328 West 11th Street properties were sold to the Zion AME Congregation.
In 1953, the congregation authorized the officers to contract for building the parish hall and tower unit, or first phase, of the new Trinity Lutheran Church building program. The new structure was dedicated on February 28, 1954. After paying off the debt in four years, the church proper, or sanctuary, was built and dedicated on March 16, 1958, with the old original cornerstone being placed in the tower structure of the new church. In the spring of 1960, the stained glass windows were installed and in 1977, the chancel paneling, as called for in the original plans, was installed. Two additional classrooms were added to the main floor in 1981.
In 1966, the entire building debt was eliminated and the congregation voted to start another ambitious program. In October of 1967, the first live television broadcast of the church service was shown on local channel 12 – NBC TV. Members and television viewers were served wonderfully with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this way until the station came under new management and the service broadcasts were discontinued in September of 1997, ending 30 years of “Building the Kingdom” in this manner.
In June 1975, Pastor Scheuerman resigned after 27 years of faithful and dedicated service. One week later, on June 22, 1975, Rev. Donald E. Sallach was installed as the 11th pastor of Trinity Lutheran. Greater efforts to minister to the television audience as a quasi-congregation took up a great deal of time for the pastor, as well as monitoring the program of a pre-school. The Erie community and the congregation would prosper and thrive under God’s blessing in the 1980’s.
As noted earlier, a school was supported by the church in its early years until it was closed in 1912. Later in the century, a Christian pre-school operated from 1976 until 1992.
When, in 1994, Pastor D. E. Sallach announced his approaching retirement, the congregation began its search for another shepherd for the flock. Rev. Mark L. Sallach of British Columbia, Canada, son of the current pastor, was called as pastor and was installed on February 19, 1995. Rev. D. E. Sallach, after faithfully serving the congregation for nearly 20 years, would yet assist with some pastoral duties for a few years to aid in the transition.
An evening service was begun in the year 2000 in order to offer other times and forms of worship. In 2002, the congregation received a Director of Christian Education intern in Mr. Phil Stilke. He was called to continue in full-time service in that position at Trinity the following year. In 2005 he would accept a call to Clarksville, Tennessee.
2006 brought the congregation to its 125th Anniversary year. Special services, displays, a new Sunday worship schedule, and other special activities observing the theme: “Celebrating with Thanksgiving, Ablaze with Hope – 125 Years at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1881 – 2006.”
Trying times would come to the congregation after Pastor Mark lost his battle with cancer in December of 2008. The decision was made to utilize an interim pastor while the congregation grieved and the call committee began its search process. Pastor Fred Poeppel of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Albion, PA graciously stepped in to sustain the congregation for nearly two years.
In 2011, Pastor James Baumgartner of Las Vegas, Nevada was called and installed on May 1 and served through May 31, 2013 when he accepted a mission position in the Far East. Church elders and retired pastor Ron Laue, a Trinity member, conducted services until May 2014, when Pastor David Kuchta accepted a vacancy pastor position serving Trinity as well as his home church in North East. Pastor Laue continued to fill in on occasion as needed.
In June 2017, Pastor Travis J. Schmidt of Franklin Wisconsin accepted a call to become the current pastor at Trinity. We look forward to a great future with Pastor Schmidt.
With the Lord’s direction, Trinity Lutheran Church will continue to live the truth of the Gospel while meeting the needs and challenges of ministry in the 21st century. We will grow in faith and love, focusing on our mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ. History beyond this moment in time is yet to be written, but the members of Trinity Lutheran Church have set their minds and hearts in accomplishing the Lord’s work, and we will travel whatever roads He chooses to take us down.
It was Pastor John Sieck of Buffalo who conducted the very first worship service of Trinity on September 8, 1881. Services were held in a hall on the southeast corner of 11th and State Streets. That same autumn a provisional constitution was adopted under the direction of Pastor John Sieck.
Pastor Henry Sieck of South Bend, Indiana, was called and in the spring of 1882 was installed as the first resident pastor. The first congregational meeting was held on June 6, 1882, when a permanent constitution with by-laws was formally adopted.
The first property was acquired in 1882 and consisted of a parsonage located on the southwest corner of 6th and Myrtle Streets. The front room of the residence was converted into a chapel at which regular Sunday services were held. That same year a lot on West 7th between Myrtle and Chestnut was leased for a three-year period and a frame church measuring 28 x 44 feet was erected on the site. In 1885, the church was transported to a more desirable location on West 11th Street between Myrtle and Chestnut. Also in the year 1885, Trinity’s first Christian Day School was established with teacher O.Lange presiding.
In 1886, Pastor Sieck accepted a call to the congregation in Silver Creek, New York and on July 18, 1886, Pastor C. Morhart was installed. Two years later, in 1888, the congregation became self-sustaining and at the convention of the Eastern District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod at Buffalo, New York, on July 18, 1888, Trinity was received into membership of Synod. In 1890, a lot adjoining the church was acquired and in 1892 a parsonage was erected on the site.
In July 1892, Pastor Morhart left for Washington D. C. and Pastor Carl Ruppel of Quebec, Canada was installed. He served until July of 1894, when due to ill health he resigned from office. Pastor G. Johannes of Baltimore, Maryland was then installed on January 15, 1895, and served until he resigned due to ill health in 1899. On March 12, 1899, Pastor T. Keyl of Newfane, NY was installed as pastor.
On October 23, 1904, the cornerstone of the 11th Street church was laid and the dedication of the new edifice took place in August 1905. The original church building was moved to the rear of the property and was converted into a schoolhouse.
In October 1906, Pastor Keyl accepted a call to Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was succeeded by Pastor R. Von Niebelscheuetz the same year. He served until May 1908, when he suffered a stroke. In October 1908, Pastor M. H. Heman became the pastor and served until October of 1911. In January 19, 1912, Pastor F. H. Schwandt of New Berlin, Illinois was installed and served faithfully for 15 years, leaving in May of 1927.
The following week, May 22, 1927, Pastor H. W. Rueger of Sebringville, Ontario, was installed as Trinity’s ninth pastor. In 1947, at Pastor Rueger’s insistence, the congregation decided to call another individual as lead pastor. Rev. Carl A. Scheuerman of St. Louis, Missouri, accepted the call and was installed November 21, 1948. In December 1949, Pastor Rueger, after 22 years of faithful and dedicated service to Trinity, accepted a call to become assistant pastor in Rochester, New York, and to also serve as institutional missionary in that area.
It was about this time that the constitution and by-laws were translated from German to English. The original name literally translated was “German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation” and was changed and incorporated as “Trinity Lutheran Church of Erie, PA.”
In the early 1950’s, members of Trinity recognized the inadequacy of the West 11th Street location and the changing community. Realizing that “they who labor in the cause of the Master with poor tools squander His mercy,” a program for relocation was initiated. Highly desirable property at 38th and State Streets was purchased and the 326 West and 328 West 11th Street properties were sold to the Zion AME Congregation.
In 1953, the congregation authorized the officers to contract for building the parish hall and tower unit, or first phase, of the new Trinity Lutheran Church building program. The new structure was dedicated on February 28, 1954. After paying off the debt in four years, the church proper, or sanctuary, was built and dedicated on March 16, 1958, with the old original cornerstone being placed in the tower structure of the new church. In the spring of 1960, the stained glass windows were installed and in 1977, the chancel paneling, as called for in the original plans, was installed. Two additional classrooms were added to the main floor in 1981.
In 1966, the entire building debt was eliminated and the congregation voted to start another ambitious program. In October of 1967, the first live television broadcast of the church service was shown on local channel 12 – NBC TV. Members and television viewers were served wonderfully with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this way until the station came under new management and the service broadcasts were discontinued in September of 1997, ending 30 years of “Building the Kingdom” in this manner.
In June 1975, Pastor Scheuerman resigned after 27 years of faithful and dedicated service. One week later, on June 22, 1975, Rev. Donald E. Sallach was installed as the 11th pastor of Trinity Lutheran. Greater efforts to minister to the television audience as a quasi-congregation took up a great deal of time for the pastor, as well as monitoring the program of a pre-school. The Erie community and the congregation would prosper and thrive under God’s blessing in the 1980’s.
As noted earlier, a school was supported by the church in its early years until it was closed in 1912. Later in the century, a Christian pre-school operated from 1976 until 1992.
When, in 1994, Pastor D. E. Sallach announced his approaching retirement, the congregation began its search for another shepherd for the flock. Rev. Mark L. Sallach of British Columbia, Canada, son of the current pastor, was called as pastor and was installed on February 19, 1995. Rev. D. E. Sallach, after faithfully serving the congregation for nearly 20 years, would yet assist with some pastoral duties for a few years to aid in the transition.
An evening service was begun in the year 2000 in order to offer other times and forms of worship. In 2002, the congregation received a Director of Christian Education intern in Mr. Phil Stilke. He was called to continue in full-time service in that position at Trinity the following year. In 2005 he would accept a call to Clarksville, Tennessee.
2006 brought the congregation to its 125th Anniversary year. Special services, displays, a new Sunday worship schedule, and other special activities observing the theme: “Celebrating with Thanksgiving, Ablaze with Hope – 125 Years at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1881 – 2006.”
Trying times would come to the congregation after Pastor Mark lost his battle with cancer in December of 2008. The decision was made to utilize an interim pastor while the congregation grieved and the call committee began its search process. Pastor Fred Poeppel of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Albion, PA graciously stepped in to sustain the congregation for nearly two years.
In 2011, Pastor James Baumgartner of Las Vegas, Nevada was called and installed on May 1 and served through May 31, 2013 when he accepted a mission position in the Far East. Church elders and retired pastor Ron Laue, a Trinity member, conducted services until May 2014, when Pastor David Kuchta accepted a vacancy pastor position serving Trinity as well as his home church in North East. Pastor Laue continued to fill in on occasion as needed.
In June 2017, Pastor Travis J. Schmidt of Franklin Wisconsin accepted a call to become the current pastor at Trinity. We look forward to a great future with Pastor Schmidt.
With the Lord’s direction, Trinity Lutheran Church will continue to live the truth of the Gospel while meeting the needs and challenges of ministry in the 21st century. We will grow in faith and love, focusing on our mission to share the good news of Jesus Christ. History beyond this moment in time is yet to be written, but the members of Trinity Lutheran Church have set their minds and hearts in accomplishing the Lord’s work, and we will travel whatever roads He chooses to take us down.