Worship: Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
204 2nd St.
Welcome, MN
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On Pentecost 1874, Rev. L.M. Reck, a traveling minister, helped German settlers in the Welcome, MN area establish a congregation. Their first resident pastor was Rev. R.E. Geisel, from 1876-1877, and they worshiped and had their first baptism in the parsonage. The first funeral was conducted by Rev. F.W. Mensing, 1878-1881. Rev. J. Becker served from 1881-1885. Rev. C. Eisenberg served from 1885-1890. He also served families in the Lake Belt Township, and the first church was built, as well as a schoolhouse and bell tower. Rev. R.H. Ackermann served in great financial difficulties from 1900-1903. Rev. C. Boethe served from 1903-1909. In 1906, the congregation included 75 families.
From 1909-1920, Rev. O. Bruntsch served the congregation. In 1915 the Ladies Aid was organized, and in 1918, the Lutheran and United States flags were placed in the church. Services at the time were in English on the last Sunday of the month, and otherwise were held in German. Rev. A.E. Geutzlaff was briefly the pastor, followed by Rev. G. Landkammerer from 1920-1928. Electric lights were installed in the church in 1921. By the congregation’s 50th anniversary, it included 93 families.
In 1925, the congregation chose to have sermons in English every other Sunday, and English came into more use in the church services and Sunday school during this time. In 1926, land was purchased for the cemetery. Rev. E.M. Mueller served from 1928-1931, and in 1930, Trinity joined the American Lutheran Church. Rev. W. Schmidt served from 1931-1946, and the cornerstone for the new church building was laid in 1937. In October, 1,700 people attended the dedication of the new building. Women gained the right to vote, and the council was increased by 3 members. Rev. G.J. Heitmann served from 1946 until 1951, when he died suddenly of a heart attack.
Rev. C. Ringhand served from 1951-1958, and Rev. A. Draeger served from 1958-1963. The church building was remodeled in 1960, and Trinity became the first church in Minnesota to use electric heat. Rev. K. Hodum served from 1964-1974, when Trinity celebrated its 100th anniversary. Rev. Richard Mitchell served from 1975-1979, and Rev. Byron Bunge served from 1979-1984. Rev. David Monge served from 1984-1989, and in 1987, the American Lutheran Church joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Rev. Donald Hippe served from 1989-1994, and in 1991, a new narthex and elevator were added to the building. Rev. Charles Beronius served in 1994-1995, and Rev. Gerald Giese from 1995-2000. In 1999, air conditioning was installed.
In 2001, St Peter Lutheran Church of Ceylon, MN and Trinity Lutheran Church of Welcome, MN voted to establish a two point parish. The parish’s joint history can be found on the “Our History” page of this website.
