History of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Petersburg, Florida
In 1890, the City of St. Petersburg had a population of just 274 people and by 1903 it had grown to the point of incorporating as a city. In was in 1910 with the population of St. Petersburg at 4,127 that the people of the Lutheran faith were anxious to organize. On March 17, 1911 the first Lutheran congregation along the Gulf Coast of Florida was organized with eighteen (18) charter members under the name, “Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Petersburg, Florida.” Worship services were led by Reverend A. N. Warner and held in a room over Ramm's Garage, located at the corner of Second Avenue South and Second Street South.
Captain F.W. Ramm originally came to St. Petersburg in 1892 to operate a schooner between the ports on Tampa Bay. Captain Ramm established the city's first machine and boiler repair works in 1906 and opened the city's first automobile repair garage in 1908. Following the official organization of the newly formed church, Captain Ramm served as an elder.
Under Construction: Insert Picture of Chapel
In October of 1911, the congregation purchased two (2) lots at the corner of 5th Street South and 2nd Avenue South (site of the historic YMCA building). The following year, a chapel was built on the property; and in 1913 an eight (8) room parsonage was constructed under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel John Hall D.D. who accepted the pastorate in December 1912. He would serve the church from February 1913 through November 1917 before leaving to serve as a chaplain in the United States Army.
The Reverend W. E. Pugh, D.D. was called as Lieutenant Colonel John Hall D.D.'s replacement and would serve Trinity from July 1, 1918 through Dec. 31, 1926.
The Lutheran population had steadily increased and by 1920 plans were made to relocate.
The progress up to this time can be ascribed to the loyalty and sacrifice of a comparatively small congregation numbering less than 100 adults.
The original chapel and parsonage were sold to the Young Man’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the present location at the intersection of 4th Avenue North and 5th Street North was purchased on January 2, 1922 as the new site for Trinity Lutheran Church.
On January 21, 1923, the first service was held in the new church even though it was unfinished and unfurnished. The interior of the nave was finished in 1924, the stained glass windows were installed in 1925, and a M. P. Moller pipe organ was installed in 1926. The church was designed by a prominent church architect from S t. Louis, Missouri, E.R. Froese and constructed by Victor A. Boeke, a St. Petersburg contractor and member of the congregation.
In February 1939, the Reverend Henry V. Kahlenberg was called to Trinity Lutheran Church and he began a vigorous program that focused primarily on reduction of the congregation's large debts. Of the complete cost of over $150,000, the indebtedness was gradually reduced and on April 8, 1945, a service of dedication and mortgage burning was held.
St. Petersburg was growing rapidly at this time. Trinity was filled with worshippers each Sunday and Sunday School overflowed so that classes were held in the basement, the pastor's office, church balcony, the sanctuary and even outdoors at times. Plans were approved in 1951 to erect a parish building at the cost of $125,000. Of that amount, $50,000 had been previously raised and the remaining mortgage of $75,000, through the intensive effort and sacrifice on the part of the congregation, was burned in 1956, just five years after its completion. It should be noted that many of the members volunteered their talents and did much of the finishing wok as well as making many of the furnishings for the building.
Shortly after this period, air conditioning was installed throughout the church and parish building in 1959. In 1967, an elevator was installed for easy access to the parish building and was done so with the cost provided by a bequest.
In 1968, extensive remodeling of the sanctuary was done including the installation of the new Knies-Jamerson Memorial Organ designed by the M. P. Moller Pipe Organ Company of Hagerstownn, Maryland.
Trinity being the first Lutheran church on the Gulf Coast of Florida has always been mindful for the need to stimulate and nurture growth and so has actively engaged itself in the beginnings of new Lutheran missions. In the 1950's, serving as the Mother church, Trinity was responsible for the establishment of:
- St. Andrew Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg;
- Christ Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg; and,
- Lutheran Church of the Holy Comforter, Treasure Island
Trinity was also privileged to play a role in the development of:
- Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg
From 1941 through 1943, Pastor Kahlenberg conducted services for a group of Lutherans in Bradenton. He traveled by ferry across Tampa Bay every other Sunday afternoon to conduct the service at 3:00 between our own morning and evening services. The church in Brandenton was officially organized in 1945 as Trinity Lutheran Church. In addition, the Florida Synod office was quartered at Trinity Lutheran Church for almost eight (8) years. Two rooms off the balcony were used for this purpose.
On August 16, 1974, the beloved pastor, the Rev. Henry V. Kahlenberg passed away. One (1) year later, Trinity called the Rev. Priit Rebane to be its new pastor. Many of Trinity Lutheran Church’s members had known Pastor Rebane as a boy when in 1950, he and his family were sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church to come to St. Petersburg as displaced persons from Estonia. Pastor Rebane's father, the late Rev. Hans Rebane served Trinity for a period of two (2) years. Since the arrival of Pastor Rebane in 1975, many notable events and accomplishments have been realized.
Trinity Lutheran Church saw the need to provide dwelling places for people of modest means, and with the help of other area Lutheran churches, established the Lutheran Apartments in downtown St. Petersburg and Lutheran Residences in South Pasadena. These building provide 400 units for people from age 62, whatever their economic, racial or creedal background.
Under Construction: Pastor Van Horne
Under Construction: Merge with Redeemer Lutheran Church
This congregation looks to the future with a confidence that Trinity Lutheran Church members will continue in caring for one another, serving the needs of our neighbors in our community and in the world. Prayerfully we seek God's Guidance for the chapters yet to be written.
Adapted from "Trinity Lutheran Church 1911-1986," published by the 75th Anniversary Committee in 1986 and "Trinity Lutheran Church 1911-2001," published by the 95th Anniversary Committee in 2001.
