It is very difficult to decide just when Trinity Lutheran Church came into being. Unlike other institutions that go back to a specific starting point in time, Trinity’s beginning was more of a gradual and evolutionary one.
The first Lutheran service was held in 1893. Pastor Anders Bengtson drove out from Cumberland’s Augustana Church and conducted the service in the old schoolhouse. From 1893 to 1897 a Pastor Peterson would drive out and have occasional services. It is unknown exactly where he was from or what church he was affiliated with. Later in 1897 Pastor Malmquist began coming quite regularly from Augustana and began urging the people in McKinley to form a church of their own. In 1901 he started a separate Lorain Sunday School. Because of the poor roads it was difficult to hold many gatherings but the seeds for a new church had been planted.
In 1902 four women: Mrs. Gustav Risberg, Mrs. Margreta Lundmark, Mrs. Samuel Grenquist and Mrs. Jack Risberg began the Lutheran Ladies Aid. Their purpose was to create support in the community to build a church building. Their dreams were realized four years later when in 1906 land was obtained for the building, and that same year, 24 communicant members and 30 children petitioned off the Augustana Church rolls to form a congregation in McKinley.
In 1907 Construction was begun and the cornerstone laid. Not all was easily done however; those people had no funds whatsoever! The trees for lumber, the sawing and all construction had to be donated. In addition, there was difficulty raising enough cash to pay for services being held in the schoolhouse. The greatest disappointment came when the bracing holding up the uncompleted structure gave way and the entire building collapsed. Discouraged, but not defeated, the builders started again. This time they succeeded. It was a long time before the interior was completed, but services were held anyway.
During 1908 Pastor Edman was paid $112.50, plus the Christmas offering, for five morning and eight afternoon services.
As time went along the church interior was gradually improved. The Luther League purchased an organ in 1911 and in 1913 the old wood planks nailed to nail kegs were replaced with pews. Other additions included the pulpit and altar in 1914 and a bell in 1915.
By 1912 the church was admitted to the Minnesota Conference of the Augustana Synod. During the 1920’s Swedish language was gradually replaced by English, and in 1938 the name of the Church was changed form “Piteo Lutheran Church” to “Trinity Lutheran Church”.
In 1951-52 services were held in the neighboring Methodist Church while the building was remodeled. Under Pastor Benson’s leadership, the church invested several thousand dollars in improvements and building. The floor of the church was completely rebuilt and raised two feet and finished with tile and carpeting. The building was moved off its old stone foundation and a basement containing kitchen and bathroom facilities and a separate furnace room was constructed. An oil-fired hot air heating system was installed and a new main entrance to the church was built. The Building Committee was Edgar Anderson, Paul Anderson, Everett Erickson, Roland Renstrom and Frank Erickson.
In 1956, a two point Parish was established with the Georgetown Lutheran Church, and we transferred from the Augustana Synod to the Lutheran Free Church. In 1961 this Parish joined in the merger with the American Lutheran church.
During the later 70’s and early 80’s, the church basement was paneled and the complete building insulated to save energy. Also, stain-glass windows, given as memorials, replaced all the main floor windows. Gifts continue to be given as memorials to those who lived and worshipped in our community and church.
During the 90's and into 2000 the members and Pastor Neal added different types of music and liturgy into the services. We also brought back the “Palt Dinner” which is served in February. After a lot of discussion on how we could improve the Church it was decide to build a new worship center. In 2004 the congregation voted to build a new church with the help of Mission Builders. In the summer of 2004 construction started on land, some of which was donated just West of the original Church. With the help of many volunteers from the congregation, and surrounding communities, the building was built. Many fund raising activities were held and the Church became active in holding ice cream socials, brat stand at Louis’s, garage sale, and community fairs and craft sales.
The first Church service in the new Church was held on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005. The dedication was held on April 17, 2005.
