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History of Trinity

 

In 1925, Pastor L. H. Pertner of Zion Lutheran Church in Ferndale conducted a study to determine if a Lutheran Church in the Clawson area could thrive.  A year later, what would become Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized.

Pastor Henry Hoesman was the first full-time pastor of Trinity, and served the congregation from 1926 until 1929.

During his pastorate, the church purchased a cement block building, which served as a house of worship until a new church was dedicated on September 29, 1929.  The church stood at 14 Mile and Custer, and seated about 135 persons.

Around 1950, the population of Clawson and the surrounding areas began to experience rapid growth.  The congregation, under the leadership of Pastor Waldo Egbert became aware of the need to expand.

Aerial photo, around 1955, shows foundation of the
present sanctuary being excavated at 14 Mile Road and Marias.
(It also shows very few trees in the surrounding neighborhood!)

The present church sanctuary was dedicated in 1956.

In 1962, under the leadership of Pastor Edwin Wagstaff (above), an educational unit was added to the church.

The narthex was enlarged and offices for the pastor, secretary and Sunday School were also added.  The unit was dedicated in April of 1962.

The Bell Tower was dedicated on October 9, 1966.

In 1979, the parsonage at 104 South Bywood was sold.  In May of that same year, fire gutted the sanctuary, and worship services were temporarily moved to Kenwood School.  The sanctuary was restored and remodeled.  The congregation celebrated a joyous rededication service on June 15, 1980 with Bishop Holle as the guest speaker. 

In November 1991, Trinity installed an elevator, which serves the needs of disabled or handicapped worshippers.  This project was dedicated in January of 1992.

In 2001, Trinity celebrated its 75th Anniversary! As part of the celebration we undertook a large building project. Bishop Robert Rimbo of the Southeast Michigan Synod, ELCA, was on hand for our 75th anniversary celebration on Sunday, October 28, 2001.  He blessed the work being done on Trinity's expansion-renovation project.

Our 75th anniversary project addressed the current need for additional space by providing our members and visitors with a warm welcoming center and an easily accessible entrance to our church. Since its beginnings in 1926, Trinity has met the challenges of change and transition.

After serving Trinity for for over a decade, Pastor Matthew S Lash left Trinity on April 10, 2005.
Trinity was served by Intentional Interim Pastor Cynthia Stengel from September 1, 2005 until August 30, 2006.

Pastor Lisa Hayes also served as an interim pastor beginning September 17, 2006, and ending November 11, 2007.

On Sunday, November 18, 2007, Trinity welcomed Pastor John Burow as its next pastor.

At Trinity, we will continue to build on the foundation of faith and respond with the fervent love to the challenge our God has placed upon the heart of our church family.