Church

1908

It was on January 1, 1908 that Pastor Michel of Trinity, Los Angeles, made the trip to the East Whittier home of Mr. and Mrs. Diedrich Kruse to baptize their infant son and also the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kruse. Mr. and Mrs. Hie Nomann were present at this baptism and it was then that they offered the use of their East Whittier home on Michigan Ave. if Pastor Michel would conduct church services for the small flock of Lutheran families residing in the Whittier area. Pastor Michel agreed, and for the next five or six months services were held about every two weeks. Pastor Michel made the round trip to Whittier by street car for the of 35 cents and the Sunday collection which amount to around $1.50 was given to him for expenses.

Later, in 1908, Vicar Theo. Haeuser was assigned to serve Whittier Lutherans. Services moved to the Free Methodist Church, southwest corner of Wardman and Comstock.

The First Friends Church was built in 1887 by the Pickering Land & Water Company. It was located on the corner of Comstock Avenue and College (Wardman) Street at a cost of $1,600. It was the second building completed on the new townsite, the first being the Bailey House. The Whittier Free Methodist Church was organized May, 1901. Soon after organizing they purchased this building from the Friends who had built a larger church for themselves at Washington Avenue and Philadelphia Street. Photo taken 1/14/1902. Whittier Public Library Historical Photograph Collection CHU-039

1909

Trinity Lutheran formally organized with five families comprising charter membership. German language was used at services now held in Odd Fellows Hall, northeast corner of Comstock and Philadelphia.

1910

Joined with the Missouri Synod as the thirty-ninth congregation chartered in California; pastoral duties provided by The Rev. C. F. W. Sapper.

1911

Purchased first property and chapel from the Christian Science Church on Bailey Street, near Newlin Ave.; first Pastor, Theo Haeuser, formally installed by Jacob Kogler, Pastor of St. John's Orange, CA.

 

 

 

1915

Purchased property including frame church and parsonage, northease corner of Pickering and Penn.

1919

The Rev. Reno H. Jeske installed as Pastor. Trinity congregation numbered 57 members.

1922

Constructed and dedicated first parish hall on Penn Street just east of Pickering.

1924

Completed construction of parsonage on Pickering Avenue just north of Penn St.

1943

Opened Christian Day School, grades 1 through 8. Mr. Marvin Stegeman called as principal; 16 pupils enrolled.

1944

Acquired additional property on Pickering Ave. adjacent to parsonage for second grade room; Miss Amelia Storandt engaged to teach the lower grades.

1945

Trinity's long assocation with Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc. starts with Work Center #3.

1949

Purchased 4-plus acres, Floral Avenue property.

1950

Dedicated three room school building at Floral Avenue and relocated the school operation in September of 1950 - teaching staff numbered 3.

1951

Installed Mr. Albert Grauer as principal; called Mr. John Hoffmann as teacher.

1953

Dedicated second room school building at Floral Avenue location; called Mr. George Martinek as teacher.

1954

Installed Mr. Edwin Hollmann as Principal of Christian Day School

1955

Installed Mr. William Borchers as called teacher and music director.

1957

The Rev. Luther P. J. Steiner installed as Pastor after serving as assistant pastor. Pastor Jeske resigns.

1959

The Rev. Robert W. Wolter installed as Pastor.

1960

Sold Pickering and Penn property; held last service in the old church on Reformation Day; all services relocated to present parish hall.

1963

Installed Mr. James T. Bode as principal of Christian Day School.

1964

Dedicated present church building; congregation now numbers 600 members.

1966

Trinity uses Synod's Vicar Program for 5 years. Those serving were: Don Luhring, James Kontak, John Jurik, Warren Tyler, and Neil Bockelmann.

1968

Mr. Bode accepts call to St. John's, Orange, CA. Installed Mr. Everett Seboldt as principal of Christian Day School, and Mr. Dale Burgdorf as called teacher.

1977

Pastor Wolter accepts call to Good Shepherd, Yucaipa in February. The Reb. Harold Tietjen serves as interim pastor.

1978

Robert Schroeder is installed as pastor on September 17, 1978.

1980

Dedication of new Handbells, gift from the Ladies Aid, to be used for Handbell Choir.

1981

The Rev. Dr. Oswald Waech installed on September 5th as Assisting Pastor. A groundbreaking ceremony is held for expansion of school facilities.

1982

Dedication of new school facility.

1983

Groundbreaking for the new Fireside Room and church offices held on September 18th. Also, a special service was held to dedicate the new 15 rank, two manual, electro-mechanical action organ built by the Harris Organ Col, Whittier, CA. A few components from the original 1929 Reuter organ were retained in the new one.

1985

Fireside Room dedication.

1987

October 1st, a major 5.9 earthquake strikes the Whittier area and the church is declared unsafe to hold worship services.

1988

After worshiping in the Parish Hall for 5 months, the church building is rededicated after repair and renovation is completed. Pastor Waech moves to Rancho Cucamonga to serve Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

1989

Dino Tumbuan joines staff as part-time Assisting Pastor.

1990

The position of Assisting Pastor is discontinued. Trinity and Faith congregations unite in calling for a Director of Youth Ministry to serve in the newly formed Whittier Area Lutheran Fellowship (W.A.L.Y.F.).

1991

Deaconess Julie Hilligoss is installed as Youth Director.

1992

Deaconess Juile Hilligoss resigns her position as Youth Director.

1993

Trinity Lutheran School celebrates its 50th anniversary.

2003

Rev. Robert Schroeder accepts a call to Grace Lutheran Church in Visalia, California. Ryan Reithmeier accepts position as Trinity's Music Director.

2004

Phil Gaylor, D. C. E. takes a call to Mt. Calvary, Diamond Bar, California.

2005

Heather Reithmeier accepts position Youth Director. Rev. Robert Claiborne serves as Trinity's Interim Pastor through 2006. Dennis Jacobson is called to be Principal at Trinity's School.

2006

Rev. Jeffrey Springer is installed as pastor on July 11, 2006.

2007

Ryan and Heather Reithmeier resign their positions to further their education. Nancy Springer accepts Music Director position.

2012

Rev. Jeffrey Springer resigns his call due to health reasons.

2013

Rev. Mark Brighton serves as Interim Pastor through 2015.

2015

Rev. Herbert M. Percy, Jr. is installed as pastor on August 16, 2015. Dennis Jacobson accepts a call to Christ Lutheran Church and School, Palos Verdes, California. Sharon Rivera serves as Interim Pincipal.

2016

Trinity Lutheran School closes after 73 years.