God's Grace To Trinity

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

You are here:

Thousands of men, women, and children have connected with God and each other at Trinity Lutheran Church since it's inception in 1932! Today we carry the legacy of all who came before us, and we live out the vision God gave us. We enjoy a beautiful worship site in Paw Paw to feed Christ's flock and reach those who do not know Him. We host a Lutheran school that teaches God's Word together with the other subjects of a well-rounded education. Through God's amazing grace the dream of a Lutheran church and school in Paw Paw has become a reality! This is the true story of how it happened ...

Several Lutheran families moved into the Paw Paw area in the 1920s and `30s. They longed for a Lutheran church and school for their families, but there was none at the time. They did not know God had planted this same dream in the hearts of others around them, and that their prayers were joining together. Pastor Louis Koehler of Trinity, Berrien Springs, Michigan had the same prayer. He knocked on doors and located nineteen Lutheran families who, astonished at his visits, told him they had been praying God would provide a Lutheran church!

In 1932, the worst year of the Great Depression, God's faithful people met in the home of Walter and Frieda Drenkhahn on 64th Avenue in Paw Paw. Twenty-five people attended that first worship service. The congregation met in various locations in Paw Paw through the rest of the decade, and Pastor Koehler conducted worship until he accepted a call to serve a congregation in Detroit in 1937 (He went to be with the Lord in 1985).

The Rev. Norman Kuck was ordained and installed as Trinity's first full-time minister in May of 1938. He served the congregation until 1941. (Pastor Kuck went to be with the Lord in 1988).

The Rev. Harlod J. Maleske was ordained and installed as Trinity's second pastor in July 1941. The congregation purchased land for a church and parsonage at the corner of Niles Street and Paw Paw Street. Members and friends of the congregation did much of the work on the first church building. The foundation was dug by hand and with the help of horses! The building was dedicated to the Lord's service in 1942, at which time the membership had grown to 141 baptized souls!

The Niles Street Church

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During World War II Pastor Maleske enlisted in the Army as a Chaplain. Retired Pastor William Shuetz served the congregation while Pastor Maleske was away. Pastor Maleske served Trinity until 1946. He served in other congregations before retiring in San Antonio, Texas (He has since gone to be with the Lord).

In 1948 Rev. Leonard Pranschke was installed as the third Pastor of Trinity. While he served Trinity it became obvious that the congregation needed a larger sanctuary. The congregation purchased land on Pine Street in Paw Paw for future use.

Pastor Pranschke accepted a call to St. Louis, Missouri in 1958 (He went to be with the Lord in 1995). The Rev. Horst Kasten became the fourth Pastor of Trinity.

The construction of the Pine Street church began in 1960. Huge beams formed the ribcage of what would be the new sanctuary. The Pine Street church was dedicated to God's glory on March 19, 1961.

Pastor Kasten accepted a call in 1964 (He since went to be with the Lord). The Rev. Delvin Bertermann was installed as Trinity's fifth Pastor.

Pastor Pranschke accepted a call to St. Louis, Missouri in 1958 (He went to be with the Lord in 1995). The Rev. Horst Kasten became the fourth Pastor of Trinity.

The construction of the Pine Street church began in 1960. Huge beams formed the ribcage of what would be the new sanctuary. The Pine Street church was dedicated to God's glory on March 19, 1961.

Pastor Kasten accepted a call in 1964 (He since went to be with the Lord). The Rev. Delvin Bertermann was installed as Trinity's fifth Pastor.

Building Our Current Sanctuary

The congregation settled into the new church building nicely. The brick altar was brought forward from the wall, making it a free-standing unit. In 1979 Trinity's membeship rose to 490. Pastor Bertermann accepted a call to Akron, Ohio. (He went to be with the Lord in 1993.)

The Rev. David R. Zachrich was installed as Trinity's sixth pastor. Trinity had several vicars (men preparing to become Pastors) who served with Pastor Zachrich: Bruce Berndt in 1980 (currently teaching in Elk Grove, California), Benjamin List in 1981, James "Andy" Keltner in 1982 (currently serving Christ Our Savior in Louisburg, KS), Robert Eggers in 1983 (currently residing in Saginaw, MI), David Heitner in 1984 (currently serving Good Shepherd, Duncan, OK), and Anthony Sobocinski in 1985 (currently serving Concordia, Oakwood, OH).

Trinity Lutheran Church (TLC) Preschool began in 1985 with Deanna Hindenach as the Teacher/Director and Bonnie Richardson as her Aide. Deanna became the Principal of Trinity Lutheran School in 1992.

Pastor Zachrich took a call in 1989. He currently serves Tallmadge Lutheran Church in Tallmadge, Ohio. The Rev. C. William Weis became Trinity's seventh pastor in 1990.

Trinity experienced tremendous growth in the 1990s. The congregation added modular classrooms in 1994 and built the school building in 1997. A third worship service was added, and members of Trinity participated in short-term mission trips to Latvia, Kazakhstan, and the United Kingdom.

Pastor Weis accepted a call to Peace, Saginaw in 2004 where he is currently serving.

In 2005 Pastor Mark Whittaker became the eighth pastor of Trinity. Pastor Whittaker is committed to helping members and guests delve into God's Word that we may grow in Christ together! Under his leadership the congregation adopted a Bible education hour at 10:15 am on Sundays. Pastor Mark is also committed to sharing the gospel in our community, in our nation, and world. In 2008 Trinity sent 24 members to Belize to share the good news with people in the town of Orange Walk. The congregation presently sponsors Rev. Rich Rudowske and family as missionaries to Botswana, Africa.

Trinity Lutheran Church (TLC) Preschool began in 1985 with Deanna Hindenach as the Teacher/Director and Bonnie Richardson as her Aide. Deanna became the Principal of Trinity Lutheran School in 1992.

Pastor Zachrich took a call in 1989. He currently serves Tallmadge Lutheran Church in Tallmadge, Ohio. The Rev. C. William Weis became Trinity's seventh pastor in 1990.

Pastor Weis accepted a call to Peace, Saginaw in 2004 where he is currently serving.