Our Historic Building

Our Original Building in 1848	The Narthex
The early history of Trinity Lutheran Church is largely wrapped in obscurity, due to the struggle for existence of our forefathers in the vast western wilderness. Trinity's roots go back to about 1805, when John Stauch, a missionary pastor from Pennsylvania, began preaching in this area, People got together in homes and barns wherever and whenever they could to hold services. In the year 1818, the Honorable John Rinehart established an Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Carrollton, Ohio, called Centerville at that time. Rev. Wagenhals served as Pastor to the Congregation, until he retired in 1829. The Rev. D. Rothacker was then called as Pastor. He served for 21 years and 8 months.
Our beautiful Wooden Ceiling	The Chancel
At a meeting held on March 5, 1847, officers were elected. We proceeded to incorporate under the name of The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Trinity Church, Carrollton, Ohio. Until this time the congregation shared a building known as Jerusalem Church. At that time we sold our interest in the Jerusalem Church to the Reformed Congregation and proceeded to build a home of our own. For over forty years we had had either no church home or one partly belonging to another Church. With C.F. Best as Chairman and Jacob Stemple as Secretary, the following officers were elected: Jacob Stemple, John Kline and Jacob Helfrich, Trustees~ D. Rothacker, Secretary~ George Abrahims, Treasurer. On March 30, 1847, The Trustees contracted with Jacob Best for brickwork, Jacob Cable for the carpenter work and Elias Gates for the plastering.
Looking out into the Sanctuary	Where the Choir warms up
Two lots were purchased on North Lisbon Street -- one from Christian and Elisabeth Kinter for $50.00, the other from William and Hannah Nelson for $75.00, on which to build our new building. The Church was built of red brick hand-made on the site. The plastering contract called for completion on or before the end of May, 1848. The structure cost $ 1718.00, although much of the labor and material was donated by members. The Carroll Free Press of July 21, 1847 carried this announcement: The cornerstone of the new Evangelical Lutheran Church will be laid in its place with appropriate services on Wednesday, July 23rd.  Public worship will be conducted in the Presbyterian Church in the German language at 10: 00 a.m. by the Rev. Dewitt Rothacker and at 1:00 p.m. Dr. Greenwald of New Philadelphia, will preach in the English language, after which the Congregation will proceed to the site of the new building to witness the depositing of the documents in the cornerstone. A collection will be taken on the occasion to be expended on the new church. All persons friendly to religion are respectfully invited to attend. The dedication took place the following June. So began our church.
Our new Kitchen...	...is very roomy!
In 1870 when Pastor M.H. Hockman served, our church became exclusively English speaking. Up to that time all services were in the German language. The interior of the building was remodeled in 1885, during the pastorate of Rev. G. M. Schmucker, at a cost of $1500, and again in 1894, for $1000, during the pastorate of G.F. Mong. On January 1, 1902, at the annual congregation meeting, it was resolved to amend the Constitution of Trinity, so as to give women the right to vote in the congregation affairs in such questions as God's Word permits.
The Fellowship Hall...	...and from the other side

Pastor Arnholt (1896-1903) first served Trinity, Emmanuel of Kilgore and St. John's of "Arabia" together. St. John's closed about 1939, while Trinity and Emmanuel continued to work together as a combined parish until July 4th, 1993 when Emmanuel held its final worship service. Members of Emmanuel Church began worshipping at Trinity on July 11th, and Trinity received their altar, pulpit and some of the furnishings.

The outward appearance of our building stayed the same for 94 years. A Sunday School unit was added in the year 1941, under the pastorate of Rev. Earl Stainbrook. Ground was broken in May 1941, for the new structure and work progressed in spite of several interruptions, due to the National Defense Program. The building, equipment and decoration were done at a cost of approximately $22,000.

On September 12 -19, 1948, Trinity Lutheran held a Centennial Observance and Dedication, honoring our first 100 years. Rev. Edwin C. Wagstaff was Pastor.

On April 13, 1958, the congregation accepted the preliminary plans for our present building. On the evening of August 13, contract bids were accepted by the congregation. Four days later, on Sunday August 17, Ground Breaking services were held, and the building was underway. The educational wing was dedicated on January 25, 1959.

On August 2, 1992, the congregation celebrated its 175th year as The Congregation of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran. Pastor Michael Oakley served at that time, and Rev. Robert W. Kelley, Bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (E.L.C.A.), held the worship service.

On October 4th, 1998, members and guests celebrated the 150th Anniversary of our Church Building, with Bishop Robert W. Kelley officiating.

Trinity Lutheran Church continues to provide its members with programs of worship and Christian education, emphasizing the Lutheran tradition of "Justification by Grace through Faith".

Earlier Pastors of our church include: John Stauch, 1805- 1818, (Missionary) John Reinhart, 1918- 1822 J. Wagenhals, 1822- 1828 D. Rothacker, 1829-1851 W. Albach, 1851-1852 G. Gaumer, 1853-1856 H. S. Lazar, 1856-1860 E. Cronenwett, 1863-1865 E. Smith, 1865-1870 M. H. Hockman, 1870-1883 G.M. Schumucker, 1883-1888 A.F. Rohr, 1888-1892 G.F. Mong, 1893-1895 W.E. Arnholt, 1896-1903 Pastors of the Twentieth Century: F. Rohling, 1903-1906 R.E. Reed, 1907-1908 W.S. Langhans 1908-1910

J.H. Lutz, 1910-1917 C. H. Herrnstein, 1918-1926 E. Stainbrook, 1926-1943 E. Wagstaff, 1945-1946 M. Mueller, 1949-1953 R. Reiss, 1954-1959 W. Wolfe, 1959-1962 C. Hollensen, 1962-1969 J Schleicher. 1969-1976 Charles Martin Horn. 1976-1983 N. & R. Ferris (Husband & Wife) 1984-1988 Edward I. Ulseth, 1988-1989 (interim) Michael Oakley, 1989-1994 Jan Walker, 1994-1995 (interim) Paul J. Camp, 1995 to 2003 Pastors of the Twenty-First Century: Gearhardt E. Mengers, 2003- 2007 (interim) J. Andrew Riggs, 2007- 2008 (interim) J. Andrew Riggs, 2008- present

INTERESTING NOTES

• For some three years Trinity was without a Pastor, during which time a Sunday School was organized by three young men of the congregation: John Smelty ( who died in the Civil War}, Jacob Helfrich, and Andrew Birch who later prepared for the ministry.
• Most Pastors of Trinity have come from the seminary in Columbus, called (since 1978) Trinity Lutheran Seminary. This theological school was first started in Canton, Ohio in 1830. Our congregation originally belonged to the "American Lutheran Church."