The "origin" of Trinity can be traced to the movement into Dakota Territory of Lutherans—German Lutherans—from Iowa, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, or wherever they had first stopped in their search for a new life. The railroads carried them part of the way. Wagons or their own feet brought them the rest of the way. They left their native lands and family, suffered the loss of some of those they loved, found new loves, and carried their faith with them.
The Northwest District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, began ministry to these families gathering in the Dakota Territory. In 1874 the Rev. John Doescher was commissioned to serve in the territory. The Rev. George Steinkamp notes in Prairie Faith, Pioneering People that Rev. Doescher reported he was serving twenty-six stations in eight counties with Yankton as his base. Among these stations was the Hartford area. In 1877 the Rev. Doescher left the territory to work in New Orleans. In 1879 the Rev. E. Fred Melcher was one of three candidates to be sent to the Dakota Territory to develop a ministry.
The Rev. Melcher became the pastor of Trinity, Heilbronn, and served that congregation until 1889. In that span of time he also served other areas including Hartford. As a result of the faithful labors of these two men, a congregation was organized in the East Wall Lake area.
B. Organization
The Evangelische Lutherische Dreieinegkeits Gemeinde (Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation) was organized in 1881 with thirteen families. Charter members included: George Bruse; Heinrich Dreyer; Joachim Helberg; August Janke; Wilhelm Matthies; Friedrich Mielke; Joachim Muchow; Karl E. Muchow; Karl J. Muchow; Wilhelm Muchow; Joachim Miller; Wilhelm Miller; and Johann Scheper.
C. First Church Building
During the first year after the organization of the congregation, services were held in the homes of various members. In 1882, the church grounds as we know them began to take shape. On June 19th, 1882, Johans and Katrina Sheper donated one acre of land that is now the west half of the cemetery. On that same day, Joachim and Maria Muchow donated one acre for the east half of the cemetery.
If you walk to the cemetery, you will find a marker placed at the site of the first church building. It was a wooden frame building 24' x 36' in size erected at the cost of approximately $1,050.00. It was dedicated to the service of God on July 16, 1882. This building was used for twenty-four years for divine services and then moved to Crooks.
D. Current Church Building
On September 17, 1901, Dietrich and Louse Grewe donated the land where the present church now stands. They donated a tract that was 26 rods by 3 rods, 1 foot, and three inches. The present church building was erected in 1906. Cement bricks for the church exterior were made on the premises with sand hauled by a team and wagon from Wall Lake.
The church is constructed mainly of cement brick and clay tile. The 36' x 74' x 16' structure has a 60' tower containing a bell weighing 1,500 lbs. and costing $347.27 to make and install. The total cost of the church is thought to be $8,000.00. The basement was added a few years later and was dug with shovels, pails, and horses. Since then, the basement has undergone many changes. In 1955, the kitchen was remodeled. In 1958 two restrooms with the first inside plumbing were added. The east basement entry was also built. Wall paneling was added in 1961 to give the basement a modern look. Tile was also put around the exterior basement to prevent knee-deep water during those years it happens to rain in South Dakota.
E. Church Renovations
The church itself has seen some changes. When it was built the pulpit was on a pedestal and a few feet east of the chancel area. The steps in from of the chancel were half-moon shaped and treacherous for people trying to remain upright while being married. The Mielke family donated funds in 1970 to change the chancel to its present shape and to carpet the nave. The nave of the church had plaster on its walls until about 1942 when members installed "New Wood" panels on the walls and ceiling.
F. Parsonage
The first parsonage was built in 1882 on the same site that the parsonage stands today. It was a smaller frame structure and was added onto as the need arose. In 1919, the old parsonage was moved to a spot just west of the garage.
The current parsonage is a two-story, nine-room structure 30' x 32' x 18' and has been in use since 1919. It was built by Julius Koenig and his son Ben. In 2000, the church spent approximately $40,000 to remodel and renovate the parsonage. New windows were put in the entire house. The kitchen was completely remodeled and walls and floors were redone. A new bathroom/utility room was put in what was a small bedroom. The old bathroom was turned into a pantry. The Men's Club also donated money and labor to build another bedroom in the basement.
G. School Building
The first school house was built in 1904. A stone monument to the east of the current church building marks its location. It was a wooden structure 12' x 14', and was used until 1920 when the old parsonage was moved and used as a school. The Christian Day School was organized in 1920. The teachers who served were from the schools of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
The first teacher was C.E. Germeroth. Student Robert Germeroth finished the 1922-23 school term for his brother after the latter accepted a call to another congregation. Teacher Clarence Detgen served from 1924-25 and Mrs. William Bendert served from 19226-27. The school was closed in 1927.
H. Pastors Who Have Served Trinity
Before organizing as a congregation, people in the Wall Lake area were served by traveling missionaries. The Rev. John Doescher traveled up from Yankton regularly from 1874-1877. He was succeeded by the Rev. E. Fred Melcher. In 1882, Trinity called its first resident pastor, Rev. E.G. Starck.
The following is a list of those men who have carried out a ministry of Word and Sacraments among the people of Trinity.
