Trinity Lutheran Church (est. 1839)

Trinity Lutheran Church (earlier known as Spannagel Church), was founded by a group of immigrants who came to this country from Germany, Switzerland, Bavaria, etc.. English and German were both used in the services in the early days of the congregation.  

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The first church was a log structure with log benches.  It was also used as a school.  The children attended public school two days a week and the German school three days a week.  The teacher's annual salary in 1849 was $50.00 to teacher Scherlgeld and $36.00 to teacher Kostgeld.  

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The first recorded baptism was in 1826 when Caroline Spannagel was baptized by Reverend M. Paret.  

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During these early years circuit riders called about once a year to baptize children.  Pastors officiating at baptisms from 1826 to 1839 were:  Paret, Werner, Wagenholz, Konrad, Spielman, Lehman, Pence, Uhlorn, and Schmidt.  

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Services have been held at Trinity since 1839.  It is believed that the congregation was organized at that time.  

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The first resident pastor was Reverend Friederich Wilhelm Richman who served from 1839 to 1856.  He also served the St. James (Rush Creek) congregation which was organized in 1834.  The St. James congregation merged with Trinity in 1921.  From 1848 to 1853 Reverend Richman also served Emanuel Lutheran Church in Lancaster.  

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Trinity Lutheran Sugar Grove has been a dual parish with our sister congregation Trinity Lutheran, Logan, Ohio since 1884.  

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The German language was phased out of the church services and meetings about 1910.  

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The second church building was constructed about the middle of the 19th century.  In July of 1927 the church was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire.  The records from 1893 were largely lost in the fire. 

 

A new cornerstone for the current church structure was laid on September 11, 1927.  Additions to the 1927 church were made in 1962 to provide the extra class rooms on the south side and in 1999 to provide extra seating for worship, elevator access to the basement, offices, and a temperature control room in the basement.     

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