History

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SUNNYSLOPE

July 11, 1948
The first service was held at 20 W. Dunlap by Pastor Charles Schmitz of American Lutheran Church . A house was rented for worship and to serve as a residence for Mary Reitz , Parishworker.

August 8, 1948
The Congregation was named Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and was supported as a mission congregation by synod subsidy.

September 19, 1948
Attendance had increased, so worship services were held in larger space: Sunnyslope Mortuary, Dunlap and Central, owned by Chester Hansen. September 19^th was also known as “Charter Sunday”. The first fifteen members were taken into the congregation:
M/M John Thomas
M/M Stanley Severson
M/M Bob Schabalion
M/M Ray Hegenderfer
M/M Clifford Larson
M/M Norman Dorsett
M/M Howard Thompson
Mr. Kuehn

November 7, 1948
Pastor Vern Geare was installed as the first full-time pastor. Because of health, Pastor Geare was unable to continue after New Year’s Day, 1949. The congregation purchased a parsonage at 9019 Vista Bonita.

January 23, 1949
Pastor O. J. P. Wetklo accepted the call to serve Trinity.

August, 1950
Pastor Wetklo accepted a call to Sterling Colorado and Pastor Lewis Holm accepted the call to serve Trinity.

July, 1951
The congregation purchased property at 9424 N. Seventh Avenue.

November 4, 1951
Groundbreaking for the new church building was held.

Easter, 1952
The first service was held in the new sanctuary.

July, 1953
Pastor Holm accepted a call to Oklahoma City. Visiting pastors and laymen conducted the worship services.

June 27, 1954
Pastor John DeYoung was installed as pastor.

September 11, 1955
Groundbreaking was held for a new classroom unit on the south side of the building.

December 4, 1955
The new classroom unit was dedicated.

Easter, 1956
Trinity’s first Easter Pageant was performed.

September, 1956
Trinity Christian Kindergarten was opened.

November, 1957
Pastor DeYoung accepted a call to Denver, Colorado.

February 23, 1958
Pastor Jacob Schick was installed as Pastor of Trinity.

November, 1962
Pastor Schick accepted a call to Roseville, California.

April 7, 1963
Pastor Jerome Trelstad was installed as Pastor on Palm Sunday.

December 5, 1965
Groundbreaking for the new sanctuary.

September 18, 1966
Dedication service for the new sanctuary.

1967
Dr. Carl Swain became “Parish Assistant”.

May, 1970
Pastor Trelstad accepted a call to Sandy, Utah.

July, 1970
Pastor Marvin Moon, Jr. was installed as Pastor.

September, 1973
The 25^th Anniversary of Trinity was celebrated. Bishop Falde was the guest speaker. Benevolence giving was reduced to 5%. The “Swain Fund” for youth was established as a memorial to Mrs. Swain.

1974
The congregation joined ALOMA (Arizona Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association). The Luther League decorated the “Youth Room”. Red paraments were purchased. The nursery was refurbished.

August 25, 1974
Pastor O. Friedrich was installed as Assistant Pastor.

March 1, 1975
Pastor Friedrich resigned his call.

1976
The parking lot was paved and a block wall erected around it.

September, 1977
Pastor Moon accepted a call to Porterville, California.

September 18, 1977
A Call Committee was appointed and Pastor L. O. Tolo agreed to serve as Interim Pastor.

June 4, 1978
Pastor Clark Overland was called as Pastor.

October, 1978
“Early Communion” recommendations of the American Lutheran Church were adopted.

1979
The new Lutheran Book of Worship was adopted. Associate Membership was approved. A self-study process was begun by all boards and committees.

1980
“Folk Worship” services were initiated. A Sunday School Teacher appreciation dinner was held with special recognition given to Adeline Kelsen.

1981
Sunday School offerings were designated for mission projects. A program for adult Christian education was initiated and the Constitution and Bylaws were rewritten.

1982
A Mission Statement for Trinity was begun. Trinity became an associate member of the Martin Luther School and Valley Lutheran High School associations. The Parish Hall was painted. The parking lot was sealed and striped.

1983
The first Stewardship brunch was held. Church policies and job descriptions were written. A Needs Assessment Committee was appointed.

1984
Barbara Kvittem-Barr was called as “Pastoral Assistant”. A “no smoking” policy was established at Trinity. A Building Committee was appointed to implement the report of the Needs Assessment Committee. A Thanksgiving Day fire destroyed the storage shed and contents.

1985
“Miracle Sunday” on Palm Sunday raised $27,600 in cash for building improvements. The proposal of the Building Committee was accepted. Benevolence giving increased to 11% of budget. Parish Hall facilities were used for English classes for new refugees. Pastor Overland announced plans to resign his call at the end of the year.

January 1, 1986
Pastor Carl Hansen began serving as Interim Pastor.

May 4, 1986
The remodeled Parish Hall was dedicated. Bishop Nelson Trout was the guest preacher.

More to come...