Our Timeline
Historic Trinity Lutheran Church was founded in 1850 as the first Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in Detroit. Historic Trinity Church soon became the Mother Church of Detroit Lutheranism as She began thirteen mission congregations throughout the City of Detroit that eventually grew to 132 different Lutheran parishes. Historic Trinity Church became the early cathedral church for Lutherans as they gathered for special worship services, and to organize such Lutheran institutions as the Lutheran School for the Deaf, the Detroit Lutheran Hour's radio program, the Lutheran High School Association, Valparaiso University, the Lutheran Cemetery, and the Lutheran Fraternities of America.
Historic Trinity Church began in a wooden frame chapel on Larned Street. In 1866, at the present site of Gratiot and Rivard, a large red brick church was dedicated. In 1931, the present architecturally excellent church facility was built with only the finest materials and craftsmanship. The finest in liturgical art can be found in Historic Trinity's stone, glass, wood, tile and brass. Its style is 16th century Pier and Clerestory Gothic, similar to that seen only in the great cathedrals of Europe. Today, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church is a National, State and Local Historic Designated Site.
In keeping with its rich historical past, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church conducts worship services in the traditional Lutheran liturgy , providing the finest in preaching, superb teaching, and inspiring music. The cathedral serves as a rallying place for Special Worship Services for individuals from throughout Metropolitan Detroit. Many sons and daughters and friends of this significant parish appreciate the opportunity to "journey home" to Historic Trinity. Today, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church is the fastest growing church in downtown Detroit.
Historic Trinity Lutheran Church Timeline
1820 - Present
| Date | Event |
| 1820 | Itinerant Lutheran Pastors in Detroit |
| 1833 | Rev. Fredrich Schmid holds first Lutheran -Reformed church service Rev. Schmid establishes St. John Evangelical and Reformed Lutheran Church |
| 1836 | Rev. E.P. Schwabe becomes first full time Lutheran - Reformed Pastor in Detroit |
| 1845 | Rev. John Friedrich Winkler establishes St. Matthew Lutheran Church - First official Lutheran Church in Detroit. (Lutherans leave St John to join here) |
| 1847 | Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States |
| 1850 | Rev. J M G Schaller begins Trinity Lutheran in chapel of Christ Episcopal Church Trinity Lutheran Church Founded June 21, 1850. |
| 1851 | Becomes the first church of the Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States |
| 1852 | Parsonage erected on lot next to first church Trinity Lutheran School started on High Street |
| 1854 | Rev. C J H Fick became pastor |
| 1855 | Trinity Ladies Aid Society organized |
| 1857 | Rev. J N A Wuestemann, assistant pastor |
| 1860 | Rev. Johannes Adam Huegli, Pastor |
| 1864 | School moved to building on Sherman Street |
| 1866 | Second Church, built at Gratiot Rivard (Brick Church) Began Lutheran Fraternal Association - LFA chapter 1 |
| 1868 | Trinity Cemetery began on Mt Elliott Ave |
| 1873 | Rev. Huegli, President of the Northern District (prior to Michigan District) |
| 1878 | Began the Lutheran School for the Deaf |
| 1888 | 1636 members |
| Parishes started by Trinity: | |
| 1865 1865 1871 1871 1877 |
Immanuel Lutheran St Mark Lutheran St. Paul Lutheran Bethany Bethel Lutheran--132 Parishes to follow |
| 1902 | Rev. H. C. F Otte, Pastor |
| 1905 | Rivard Street School built behind the church |
| 1913 | Trinity Lutheran Church Incorporated English Language service begin |
| 1920 | School house sold , school merges with St. Peter Lutheran School |
| 1921 | Brick house next to church (Civil War Hospital) turned into the parish hall |
| 1924 | Purchase property on Helen Avenue for new church (later sold) |
| 1925 | Assist in starting Valparaiso University |
| 1927 | Present Parish House built |
| 1927 | Dr. Gilbert T Otte, Pastor A Sunday School organized |
| 1928 | January: Parish Hall Dedicated |
| 1929 | November 26: Third Church Corner Stone laid |
| 1931 | Mr & Mrs Charles Gauss donated funds for new church February 15: Third Church building dedicated Detroit Lutheran Hour from Historic Trinity |
| 1941 | 85 men of Trinity in armed services |
| 1944 | Helped begin the Lutheran High School Association Synod changes name to Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod |
| 1948 | Trinity Guild organized |
| 1979 | City of Detroit Historical Designation | 1981 | Trinity Cemetery sold Holy Trinity Polish Lutheran Church merges with Historic Trinity The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard, Associate Pastor Dr. Harry Wolf, Assisting Pastor 112 members |
| 1982 | Trinity Arts began Dau Church History begins State of Michigan Historical Designation |
| 1983 | National Register of Historical Places The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard, Pastor Cathedral Ministries begin. Assisting pastors: Rev. Karl Trautmann, Rev. Roger Bronsted, Dr. John Herzog, Dr. Donald Mossman, Rev. Charles Looker Cathedral Ministries begin |
| 1985 | Historic Trinity Inc. began officially |
| 1986 | Trinity Lutheran Church renamed Historic Trinity Lutheran Church 381 members Restoration of church begins |
| 1991 | 605 members |
| 1995 | Lutheran City Ministries 872 members Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church of Detroit merges with Historic Trinity Associate Pastors: Rev. John Nunes, Rev. Roger Kilponen |
| 1996 | Assisting Pastor: Rev. Ronald Guettler |
| 1997 | 1128 Members |
| 1998 | Associate Pastor: Rev. Roosevelt Gray, Jr. LCM - Lutheran City Ministries goes independent Assisting Pastor: Rev. James Gruetzner |
Rev. Dr. John Heins develops role of District President Emeritus as part of the
Historic Trinity Cathedral Ministry
| 1999 | Statues and Carvings from Our Savior installed at Historic Trinity First Downtown Lutheran Memorial Service Stained Glass Windows Cleaned and Restored |
| 2000 | 1450 Members Celebrate 150th Anniversary Opened and added to church cornerstone box Assisting Pastor: Rev. Ronald Schmidt Needlepoint cushions for communion rail and baptismal font Church exterior cleaned and tuckpointed |
| 2001 | Assisting Pastor: Rev. Dr. Kieth Gerberding Restoration of church roof and gutters Historic Trinity Cathedral Press Started Eberhard display rooms opened |
| 2002 | Commissioning of first missionaries Restoration of lower-level restrooms |
| 2003 | 1625 members Assisting Pastor: Rev. Gary Headapohl |
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Historic Trinity Lutheran Church
1345 Gratiot Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48207
Phone: (800) 268-3058 (Michigan Only) or (313) 567-3100
Fax: (313) 567-3209
Email: Historic Trinity