About Trinity First Lutheran Church

1115 East 19th Street
Minneapolis MN 55404
612-870-9487          612-871-2353


Welcome
Welcome to Trinity First Lutheran Church. We are delighted to share with you in worship, songs of praise, prayers, and the Living Word of the Gospel. May the blessing of God through His Holy Word and the warmth of our welcome give you the desire to worship with us.
 
A Brief History of Trinity First
Trinity First Lutheran Church was the first Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod congregation established in Minnesota and is the oldest Lutheran congregation in Minneapolis. It was organized in 1856 in investigate mission possibilities among Chippewa Indians in the Minnesota Territory, and to serve German Lutherans already here. In 1985 and again 1997 the Lord gave us another opportunity to minister to American Indian people with the addition of a Missionary-at-large.
 
Christian education was the priority for those early settlers. A Christian Day School was established in 1859 and a building erected in 1870 to serve the education needs of the children in the parish. Today, the Education Center, dedicated in 1973, enrolls preschool through eighth grade and serves the children of a multicultural Phillips Neighborhood. In a 1988 building program, the preschool room was refurbished from an upper grade classroom, and an elevator was installed, making the lower level of the church accessible to all.
 
The first house of worship was built in 1867 and located across the street from where the HHH Metrodome now stands. The second one, built in 1903, stood on the present gymnasium site, with it entrance on 13th Avenue South. The third and present house of worship was dedicated in 1953. The chapel area in the new building later was made into office space and a lounge. The most recent remodeling took place in 1997 when the kitchen adjacent the Fellowship Hall was brought up to code through a generous gift.
 
The Sanctuary
The sanctuary, consistent with the Lutheran emphasis on Word and Sacrament, focuses the eye on the cross above the altar with pulpit and baptismal font on either side. Available are areas for wheelchairs, listening devices, and brail hymnals.
 
The stained glass windows were designed by Dieterich Spahn. The window symbols are used to remind us of church doctrines, the mission of the church and as a guide in our Christian life. Starting on the right side, the three round chancel windows depict the hand of God, the cross with chi rho, and the dove. The four gospel windows on the lower south wall of the nave show the birth of Christ, baptism, crucifixion and the resurrection. The eight Beatitude windows illustrate the blessed ones with various appropriate symbols.
 
Elijah, Jonah, Elisha and Isaiah grace the prophet windows and the twelve apostles light up both sides of the nave. Looking up to the balcony windows, you can enjoy the Transfiguration and Pentecost scenes. On the front north wall are seen the four round evangelist windows.
 
Other windows, originally part of the chapel, are now viewed in the offices and lounge. These windows outside the sanctuary depict the services provided by the church: It is a house of hope, of sharing, of education, of prayer, of music which praises God, and of healing power.
 
The organ has been a significant part of worship for Trinity First. In 1887 the first pipe organ was purchased for $700 and in 1924 a three manual pipe organ at nearly double the cost was installed. The new Moeller console was part of the organ's refurbishing when it was moved to the present house in 1953.
 
Information
If you would like more information about Trinity First, please stop by or call the Church Office at 612-870-9487.
For information about the school, 612-871-2353.

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