On June 23, 1833 Pastor Erienmeyer organized a small Lutheran congregation, and had German worship services. On April 1, 1834 land was purchased from Hugh McAlister and a church was built at a cost of $600. Early ledgers show that purchases included wine for $1.22, nails for $.04, one church book for $.34, 2 pounds of candles for $.30, a cord of wood $1.00.
About a hundred members attended the German services, and the council consisted of Conrad Ort, Daniel Hoffman and John Shaver. In 1841, West Pennsylvania Synod of Boalsburg instructed Pastor Boyer to preach only in English. The majority of the parishners were opposed, but the Synod overruled. In 1851 an English hymnbook and liturgy book were purchased for $2.75.
On July 29, 1877, a large new two-story church was dedicated. The lumber was harvested locally, and the 128,000 bricks were made from clay from the Samuel Watts farm. On February 10, 1887, the congregation adopted a constitution and was chartered as Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1927, in preparation for Trinity's 100th anniversary, the church added the stain glass windows we still see, and the John Shellenberger family donated the painting of Christ, which is now in the narthex.
In 1946 a new parsonage was purchased from the John Shellenberger family. In 1965 the Christian education building was added. In 1970, the current parsonage was built. September 1981, the congregation voted to build a new church. In 1984 when the old church was torn down, the tombstones found underneath the church were moved to Hillside Cemetery. In 1994, the congregation established a youth director position, Clarice Pellman served as the first hired youth director. In April of 1994, Sonbeam Daycare was established in the church. In 1994 Trinity took over the organization of the Christmas Angel Project. In 1999 the Good News Bearers, an elementary youth group was started. In July 2001, the church partnered with Reed Memorial Lutheran Church in Liberia. In 2004 Trinity supported seminary theological education by having intern, Erin Bovendam, for one year. In 2004 the church began celebrating weekly communion. In July 2006, Trinity called its first female pastor, Erin. 2008 Trinity partnered with Shelter Services to clean and repair a shelter house in Mifflintown. In 2011 we began a joint community Vacation Bible School between Trinity Lutheran, Lost Creek Presbyterian, Pine Grove and McAlisterville United Methodist Churches. In 2012 the youth of McAlisterville United Methodist joined with Lost Creek Presbyterian and Trinity Lutheran Churches to create McAlisterville Messengers.
About a hundred members attended the German services, and the council consisted of Conrad Ort, Daniel Hoffman and John Shaver. In 1841, West Pennsylvania Synod of Boalsburg instructed Pastor Boyer to preach only in English. The majority of the parishners were opposed, but the Synod overruled. In 1851 an English hymnbook and liturgy book were purchased for $2.75.
On July 29, 1877, a large new two-story church was dedicated. The lumber was harvested locally, and the 128,000 bricks were made from clay from the Samuel Watts farm. On February 10, 1887, the congregation adopted a constitution and was chartered as Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1927, in preparation for Trinity's 100th anniversary, the church added the stain glass windows we still see, and the John Shellenberger family donated the painting of Christ, which is now in the narthex.
In 1946 a new parsonage was purchased from the John Shellenberger family. In 1965 the Christian education building was added. In 1970, the current parsonage was built. September 1981, the congregation voted to build a new church. In 1984 when the old church was torn down, the tombstones found underneath the church were moved to Hillside Cemetery. In 1994, the congregation established a youth director position, Clarice Pellman served as the first hired youth director. In April of 1994, Sonbeam Daycare was established in the church. In 1994 Trinity took over the organization of the Christmas Angel Project. In 1999 the Good News Bearers, an elementary youth group was started. In July 2001, the church partnered with Reed Memorial Lutheran Church in Liberia. In 2004 Trinity supported seminary theological education by having intern, Erin Bovendam, for one year. In 2004 the church began celebrating weekly communion. In July 2006, Trinity called its first female pastor, Erin. 2008 Trinity partnered with Shelter Services to clean and repair a shelter house in Mifflintown. In 2011 we began a joint community Vacation Bible School between Trinity Lutheran, Lost Creek Presbyterian, Pine Grove and McAlisterville United Methodist Churches. In 2012 the youth of McAlisterville United Methodist joined with Lost Creek Presbyterian and Trinity Lutheran Churches to create McAlisterville Messengers.
