Church History

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Our story began in 1930 when Rev. Henry Rische of Dunsmuir started to travel the 110-mile round trip every Sunday to begin missionary work in Redding. For the next four years he held services in the basement of the old Carnegie Library in Redding. When work began on Shasta Dam and Redding experienced a population boom, our church began to grow. In 1938 Pastor W.O. Grunow of Red Bluff held services every other Sunday afternoon in the Episcopal church. The first gathering had only seven families bet soon they expanded and were holding services every Sunday.

The new congregation looked for a building of its own and purchased the Seventh-day Adventist Church at 1550 Chestnut Street. The first service in that new church was held on June 18, 1939. It was formally known as "The First Lutheran Church of Redding." Dedication was held on November 3, 1940. It was chartered with the State of California under the name "Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Unabridged Augsburg Confession."

Rev. Harold Dorn was installed at Trinity on February 18, 1945. A new Parish Hall was added in 1950. Our congregation has been blessed with many gifted organists. Dean Braucher played for the dedication ceremony and Mrs. McClary was the regular organists. Others who played during the early years of the church were Irene Haunschild and Don Wilhelmson. Even young Tom Wilhemson began playing the organ for the Sunday School when he was only 10 years old and he still plays for Trinity today. Early 1953, Pastor Dorn left and Rev. A. Westling served as interim pastor. Rev. A.J. Maas replaced him as pastor on December 28, 1953.

In 1954 Trinity purchased 14 acres in East Redding for 14,000. Later nine of those acres were sold. The state then constructed I-5 which passed right along the property line.

After Pastor Maas resigned on June 30, 1957, Rev. Rudi Lenser served as vacancy pastor till October 1, when he was called to serve both the Redding and Anderson churches.

Trinity sold the Chestnut Street church and parsonage in 1958 and looked forward to building a new church on Hilltop Drive. Groundbreaking for that new facility was held in May of 1960. On Mother's Day in 1961 our new sanctuary was dedicated. Over 8,000hours of volunteer labor went into its construction and the only paid employee was the Superintendent of the Construction, Glen Dork, who is still a member today.

Trinity was designed by Mr. William Matthauser. The colored glass window in the front was from the George Payne Studio of New Jersey and made in Rouen, France- a gift from member Mrs. Esther Otten. Mr. Robert Bauer used Sierra Madre rock in the Chancel wall, outside front wall and on the tall bell tower.

A successful School-After-School program was started in 1962. Trinity Lutheran School was established in September of 1965 with three grades in operation which later expanded to a full eight grades. In 1974 a new educational wing was added along with 4 classrooms and a multi-purpose room.

The Day School was a tremendous blessing but it came with a financial challenge that only grew with the years. In 1995 the school was closed with only the successful Preschool remaining. It was a difficult decision that radically changed the course of our congregation. In a step of faith the day school was reopened in 2001 with grades K-1 and currently has K-3 under the skilled leadership and teaching of Mrs. Sherry Keener and Mrs. Paula Parker.

In 1973 the Bethel Bible Study program successfully started. Our current constitution was adopted in 1980 creating eight administrative boards and expanding the role of women to some leadership positions. The first group of well-trained Stephen Ministers was commissioned in 1984. They served faithfully under the leadership of Wally Wessel for several years and then that program was expanded by adding several other committed persons and two additional thoroughly-trained leaders this year.

Trinity began conducting twice-monthly church services at Beverly Healthcare in 1987 and today we also serve the residents at Applewood Inn. On Wednesday during Lent and Advent we began having soup suppers. The year-long celebration of our 50th anniversity started in November 1989 and closed with a big Octoberfest.

Today we hold both traditional and contemporary church services, conduct home Bible studies and have an exciting Senior Ministry Program which serves "Senior Moments Luncheons" twice each month. To accommodate more people efficintly a handy coffee bar was built in the Fellowship Hall before our kitchen was finally remodeled in 2002.

The new kitchen is now equipped with all new appliances including a dishwasher, warming ovens, refrigerators, ample work space, a center island and plenty of storage. It was used for the first time to prepare and serve the annual congregational Christmas dinner in 2002 which proved to be a big success.

Don Duff and Mel Trotter faithfully served Trinity as Lay Assistant Ministers from 1998 until 2004. Recently in 2003 Mary Ellen and Bill Koch and Carl Snyder were also added as Lay Assistant Ministers to serve under Pastor Rollefson's call. Several others are still being trained to become Lay Assistant Ministers as well. We are also currently supporting Jason Bredeson from our congregation who is currently serving his Vicarage in Fredricksburg, Virginia.

Our Music Ministry includes choir, handbells, and two Worship Teams all under the fine direction of Mrs. Nancy Jasper and Mrs. Sharrie Duff as organist.

Work parties are still held in the spring and fall. The fountain out in the front of the church is often ablaze with roses and other flowers, courtesy of Len and Iris Mickelson. This generous couple also shares the bounty of their garden and orchard with anyone who chooses to enjoy their gift of fresh produce.

During Trinity's life it has been served by many professional church workers. Assistant Pastor Rev. Nathan Riley served from 1979 until 1983. Rev. Daniel Rowe joined us in 1986. In 1990 we welcomed Stace Rollefson as our new vicar and following after his serving here were vicars Doug Hoag and Gary Brown.

When Pastor Lenser retired in 1991 our congregation chose Pastor Rowe as its Senior Pastor and Rev. Haydn Murphy as Assistant Pastor. In 1996 Rev. Doug Brown replace Pastor Murphey. In the spring of 1998, Pastor Brown left and in May Pastor Rowe accepted a call. Rev. Gordon Beck was our interim pastor until 2000 when Rev Stace Rollefson accepted the call as our present pastor.

The story of Trinity Lutheran Church is a story of hard work, determination, challenge, discouragement, blessings and growth. It owes what success it enjoys today to the blessings of God, dedicated pastors, leaders, staff, and members and to the faithful use of God's Word and Sacraments.

May God our Father give us grace in Christ our Savior to love and cherish one another as brothers and sisters in His body as we further His Kingdom here at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, School and PreSchool and throughout our community.