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Church History

History of Our Church

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, founded in 1876, has a rich history.

History of the ELCA

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed over 25 years ago. This new church was formed from three separate and well-established North American church bodies: 

• The American Lutheran Church
• The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and
• The Lutheran Church in America.

Beginning January 1, 1988, these churches, with shared beliefs and missions, officially formed the ELCA. Two decades later, this energized church is composed of nearly 10,000 congregations across the U.S. and Caribbean. Today, the ELCA reflects the rich and diverse heritage of the people it serves.

But to understand our heritage fully, one must trace our roots back through the mid-17th century, when early Lutherans came to America from Europe, settling in the Virgin Islands and the area that is now known as New York. Even before that, Martin Luther sought reform for the church in the 16th century, laying the framework for our beliefs.

Go to our own What is the ELCA page >>