Trinity Lutheran Church

About Trinity Lutheran Church

Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 405 3rd Avenue North in Lake Norden, SD.

Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in 1967 by the merger of three older Lutheran Congregations with roots that date back to 1880 (East Norden), 1883 (Immanuel - meeting at first in a sod church  building), and 1891 (First Lutheran).  The people of First Lutheran  Church were of Finnish descent; East Norden, basically Norwegian  people;  Immanuel, those of Danish descent.  People united together  to carry out the work of their church, and to confess their faith in  God.  A service of dedication and installation was held on March 12,  1967.  Altar crosses from the three congregations were brought to  the altar signifying the merger.  
 
Pastors who have served since the merger are Rev. Raymond Salim (1960 - 1967 at First Lutheran Church, and then January - September, 1967 at Trinity); Rev. Ray Larson (June 1968 - December 1977); Intern Russ Melby (1977-1978; Intern Mark Helgeland (1978-1979; Rev. John Allickson (July 1978-September 1987); Rev. Paul Erlandson (July 1988 - May 1992); Rev. John Mayer (September 1992 - July 2000); Interim Pastors Terry Knudson (September 2000 - January 2001) and Don Schumacher (February 2001 -  July 2008).  Following the death of Pastor Schumacher in July, 2008, the congregation has been served by Pastor Gene R. Peterson to the present time.  

In 2002, Trinity joined Badger Lutheran Church in a shared ministry with Pastor Schumacher serving both congregations until 2008.  Since then, Pastor Gene Peterson has served both congregations.  In this partnership, there are joint Lenten and Thanksgiving Services, and a shared confirmation ministry class.   

On October 10, 2010, Trinity voted to join the new North American Lutheran Church which was formed in August of the same year.  The NALC is more faithful to the Bible as the inspired Word of God.  The NALC is seen as more conservative than the ELCA and upholds traditional values.

On January 16, 2011, Trinity voted unanimously to ratify an earlier vote to end its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Clara Lutheran Church was a sister congregation to Trinity for several years. It was founded in 1886 by Pastor John Randahl who traveled around South Dakota forming Swedish congregations.  Ministry continued at Clara until 1987 when it closed due to declining membership.  In May 2000, Joy Nelson of Watertown moved the church to its present location on a hilltop at Joy Ranch near Florence where it was fully restored.  Since then, it has become part of the Lutherans Outdoors camping ministry, and will offer a variety of programs and events in the future.

The ministry of Trinity Lutheran is characterized by its members  faithfully sharing and working together.  The congregation is  blessed  by the involvement of several volunteers who serve in  numerous ways.  As we look ahead, we rely on the promise of Isaiah  40:8 to be our guide  for the future:  "The word of our Lord shall  stand forever."