History of Trinity Lutheran Church

Trinity Lutheran Church
Ashaway, Rhode Island

History

The following is a copy of the Early History of Trinity taken from the Dedication Bulletin of our present building which was dedicated to the Lord on Sunday July 16, 1967. The “typos” are original. Clarifying comments are in parentheses. More will follow. Any input from 1967 on would be helpful, as this would make the task of writing a short history of Trinity easier.

    In the spring of 1922, just forty-five years ago, the mission board of the Atlantic District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, began its work here in Westerly, when the Rev. E.C. Wenzel surveyed the possibility of holding services in Westerly. In the fall of that year services were held in the Girl Scout Hall on High Street at 7:30 p.m. Sundays.

    During the latter part of 1923, the Rev. Herman W. Reincke began serving as Pastor and ministered to the Westerly group until the spring of 1924. During his ministry, the services were held every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. In April of that year Rev. Walter H. Heintze took charge and served as Pastor until August, 1926. During his pastorate he lived here in Westerly, whereas all the other Pastors resided elsewhere, having as their chief parish the New London congregation. (i.e., Our Redeemer)

    On September 12 th, 1926, the Rev. Detlef A. Kraft became Pastor of Trinity and served the congregation until the fall of 1936. During his term as shepherd of the Westerly flock, services were held first at the Castagna’s hall on Canal Street, and later at the Methodist Church, Grove Avenue and High Street, where services were held until the present property was purchased and renovated. (Cross and Elm) While at the Castagna’s hall, services were held every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. and while at the Methodist Church at 4:15 p.m.

    In November 1936, Rev. Arlin A. Mass began his ministry here, serving until the early summer of 1945. During his stay the services were held on Sundays in the Methodist Church with the hour of worship being held interchangeably at 4:15 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. In 1937 Trinity was organized and applied for membership in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, being accepted in 1939.

    In June, 1945, the Rev. Edward Williams took charge of the services and ministered to the congregation until November of that year.

    During twenty-four years of its life, the Trinity congregation remained a preaching station, served by the above Pastors whose primary task was that of ministering to the members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in New London, Conn. Although property had been bought at the corner of School and Granite Sts. In Westerly and plans had been underway for the crection of a church, the plans did not materialize and Trinity continued to hold its services at odd hours, in various locations. These factors had a definite bearing upon the work and life of the church.

    In the summer of 1945 the members urged the Atlantic District Mission Board to give them a full-time Pastor so the work of building the Kingdom of Christ might progress, and the Church might become more stable. By the grace of God that plea was heard. In September the Mission board assigned its missionary-at-large, Rev. Hans A. Voss to survey the field and determine the possibilities of establishing a more permanent church here. The survey proved there was much to be done for the Kingdom of Christ in Westerly.

    A suitable location for a church was sought. The property which had been purchased on School Street was too small and the location not to advantageous. Under the blessing of God the location was found at Cross and Elm and in January, 1946 the deeds and papers were signed. For the first time Trinity had a definite place of its own to carry on the work of the Kingdom of Christ. Remodeling of the church-home began in February. By September, 1946 renovations had progressed enough so a full-time program could be adopted and regular services could be held. The first service was held on Sunday, September 15 with a Sunday School starting that same day. As things progressed, the Walther League and the Ladies Aid Society were organized; the Sunday School grew from an enrollment of twelve to nineteen and the communicant membership grew from thirty-five to fifty in the twelve months of 1946....

Although the congregation had adopted its constitution in 1937, circumstances made it impossible for them to abide by it in organizational form until the spring of 1947. In a special meeting of the voting members on Sunday, March 23, the constitution was appointed and on April 11 at a regular meeting of the congregation the officers were elected, being officially installed into office in the divine service on Sunday, April 13, 1947.

Under the spiritual guidance of the first resident Pastor, the Rev. Hans Voss, Trinity Lutheran Church began to make an impact upon the community and established itself as a Church of Christ, preaching the true word of God, administering the Sacraments and bringing salvation to the lost through the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The growth of the Sunday School and church was steady. The spirituality of the members increased as the growth in attendance at services indicated. After five years, the time came when Pastor Voss accepted a divine call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Morris Plains, New Jersey.

After a vacancy of only three months, the Lord guided Rev August Fry to come and shepherd the sheep at Trinity beginning in January of 1952. Pastor Fry continued to build upon the foundation laid by Pastor Voss. During the ministry of Pastor Fry, the congregation’s membership and attendance remained constant. After receiving a call to Manchester, New Hampshire, Pastor Fry took leave of the congregation in August, 1954. During his stay, Pastor Fry baptized twelve people and confirmed seven. Average attendance in church at that time numbered 39.

From August, 1954 to January, 1955 there was a vacancy in the church. On January 9, Pastor Bert Pauluhn was commissioned by the Atlantic District to establish a mission in Groton, Connecticut and serve as the third resident pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church. In the interest of the Kingdom of God and its growth, Trinity willingly provided residence for the Pastor and cheerfully sacrificed time, talent, and treasure and joyfully shared their Pastor with the mission church in Groton. (Faith) The amazing mathematics of God’s grace became evident in the wonderfully rapid growth of the congregation. Despite the fact that Pastor Pauluhn’s services were divided, the congregation grew. The average attendance increased to 43 people a Sunday in 1955. in 1956, the average attendance increased to 50 persons. Between the summer of 1958, 15 people were baptized and 23 confirmed, showing that the power of God had been active through the combined efforts of the people and the Pastor. Pastor Pauluhn left in May 1958 to full-time at Faith Church at Groton. Vicar Robert Feldman from the Springfield Seminary arrived here in June 1958 for a year’s work in our congregation, Pastor Pauluhn to remain as Pastor. During this year a choir was organized and the average attendance for 1958 was 62.

At the May meeting of 1959 it was decided to issue bonds to our members to liquidate a $7500 debt owed to the Atlantic District. Total bond issue was subscribed by members. Cash gifts were also donated. After a year of fruitful work, Vicar Feldman left and Dr. George J. Meyer assumed the pastorate of our church. During Pastor Meyer’s stay, the work of the early years of the congregation was evident in the steady increase in attendance and giving. Also, a gain in new members and increase in attendance at communion was steady. The chapel was rearranged to provide seating for more.   Work finished November 1960. Because of increased attendance and for the convenience of the congregation, two Sunday morning services were scheduled. Dr. Meyer arranged to have a fifteen minute talk on local station WERI on Sunday evening. In February, 1963 Pastor Meyer became ill and the congregation was served by Pastor Louis Meyer of the Atlantic District and Pastor N. Walter of Groton. In February, 1963, an application for a Vicar or Pastor was sent to Pastor Graessor, President of the Atlantic District. Pastor Graesser suggested the name of Pastor William Eberle who moved here and assumed the pastorate in June 1963. In July, 1964, a committee was appointed to explore the possibility of building a church. The congregation voted to build a church at their July, 1964 meeting. Preliminary work was accelerated and a Building Committee was appointed. In June 1965, Our Pledge Drive for the new church was held. A total of $32,000 was pledged. The architectural firm of Roy D Murphy was chosen. Loans were obtained from Industrial Trust Company and Church Extension Fund of Atlantic District, Missouri Synod.

On October 10, 1966, ground was broken on a six acre plot on the corner of Wellstown Bridge Road and Rt. 216 in Ashaway. This ground was purchased in 1964. Building began in November, 1966.