Statement of Faith
As a community of believers, guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to do God’s will, share God’s Word, and celebrate the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Who We Are
Trinity Lutheran Church began in the mid-1870s when Norwegian immigrants held church in their homes, and later a schoolhouse. Laymen served as the first ministers. Two separate congregations formed Trinity Church. The older church, the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Big Stone County was organized in 1876. This church evolved into the Long Island Congregation and was a member of the Norwegian-Danish Conference. The second church was organized in 1877 with the name, St. Pauli Congregational by Big Stone Lake. It was affiliated with the Norwegian Synod.
These churches formed the newly-named church, St. Pauli Norwegian Evangelical Church two miles south of the town of Clinton, MN. In 1890, with the merger of three Lutheran synods, came the uniting of the Long Island Congregation and the St. Pauli Church. They formed the Big Stone Lutheran Congregation of Clinton. This newly united church had no building in Clinton. They rented the use of Elim Lutheran Church facilities in Clinton for $25 a year.
Eventually, a Clinton church building was completed in 1898. This church was completely destroyed by a cyclone in 1908. Only the bell remained. Another church was erected in 1910. A change came to the church in 1924 when it was decided to have every third service in English. In 1935, they discontinued using the Norwegian language. The church was also renamed Trinity Lutheran Church. Women obtained the right to vote in 1937. The new brick church was dedicated in 1953. An addition to the facility was completed in 1994.
This church was formed by pioneers who came with horse, buggies and oxen to create a new life. From their meager beginnings, they slowly created an early church using their Bibles, hymnals, Luther’s small catechism and the ‘hus-postil” (their devotional book). They sang the familiar songs from their homeland and worked to build a strong community of faith.
Today, Trinity Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Staff
Janine Teske, Secretary
Bonnie Stotesbery and Pam Chase, Organists
Deb Nelson, Custodian
Richard Martinson, Head Usher
Church Council
Church Council: Donna Moberg, President, Haley Zimmel, Kelly Stattelman, Chuck Folkens, Randy Stotesbery, Elizabeth Huselid,