ARCHIVE

Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona celebrates 100 years years ago

The congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona will celebrate its 100th anniversary Oct. 9.

The community is invited to join in the celebration. The day's events will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m.

The program includes a puppet presentation, church service with former Pastor Tony Troup, noon meal, and an afternoon Christian music concert by Christopher Ames.

It will conclude with a balloon release.

A history

The original church congregation was comprised of a group of members from St. John's Lutheran Church of Lyons Creek, the mother church in the area. Rev. Hans von Gemmingen, pastor of North Tampa Lutheran Church helped them organize.

A church structure was built on a plot of land east of Ramona donated by Ernest Domann. It was dedicated in 1905 as St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

The new parish of 102 people was served until 1907 by Rev. Dietrich Stemmermann, the new pastor of North Tampa Lutheran Church.

A parsonage was built southwest of the church. Another barn-like structure also was built on church grounds. It served as a school during the week and was used by the church on Sunday.

Before a well was dug on the grounds, a bucket of water was carried from nearby Beltz Creamery each recess and noon by two school boys. The late Alex Brunner remembered being one of those boys.

In 1910, the Ramona congregation joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states.

A difficult and stressful time developed when differences in interpretation of church doctrine resulted in a split between those who wished to remain with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and those who wished to unaffiliate.

The assets of the congregation were divided between the two groups.

The 20 church members who decided to remain in the Missouri Synod met for a time in the school house in Ramona. They acquired the temporary service of Pastor M. Senne of Lincolnville.

The original church later became affiliated with the American Lutheran Church. It closed in December 1986.

In the spring of 1916, a church building was erected in Ramona by the Missouri Synod Lutherans.

At the time of dedication on June 25, 1916, the following were listed on the membership roll: G.H. Brunner; Peter Seder; F. Schneider; H. Hoeppner; Wm. Seder; R. Feil: Phil Seder; Carl Hamm; D. Dorsch; H.A. Bernhardt; A.A. Bernhardt; H.F. Brunner; Wm. Hoppener; J. Lorei; Hy. Schneider Sr.; G.H. Riffel; H. Ladner; Hy. Bernhardt Jr.; Alex Berger; and Alex Hanschu.

In 1944 the congregation was incorporated and the name changed from St. Paul's to Trinity to avoid confusion with the Lutheran church east of Ramona.

In 1948, a former country school house was moved adjacent to the church and became known as Parish Hall. It has been remodeled and enlarged several times and serves as a meeting place for many community functions.

As was the custom in many other churches, men and women sat on opposite sides of the church for years. In 1945, a new pastor broke the tradition, which was readily accepted. In 1954, services in German, which had been steadily declining, were discontinued.

In 1964, due to difficulty obtaining pastors for smaller, rural congregations, Trinity Lutheran Church formed a dual parish with St. John's of Lyons Creek. Each church maintained its own identity but shared a pastor.

That relationship was discontinued in 2001, after which the congregation formed a partnership with St. John's Lutheran Church of Tampa.

Pastor Clark Davis now serves both congregations.

Other church organizations

Early church organizations included the Aid Association for Lutherans, Sunday school, and Walther League.

In 1956, a Couples Club met for Christian fellowship. Now known as Fellowship Club, it still meets regularly.

A Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1927. The group held popular annual bazaars, often held in the high school gymnasium, which continued into the 1960s.

In 1954, the women's group became affiliated with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League International. The LWML still meets monthly.

The women of the Ramona church are remembered by many in the community for their chicken noodle soup and butterballs.

Three young men from the congregation became ordained Lutheran pastors. They are: Robert Hackler, confirmed in 1939, retired in Charleston, Ill.; Eugene Hicks, confirmed in 1943, retired in Herington; and Donald Brunner, confirmed in 1962, deceased.

The church has been served by 20 pastors during its 100- year history.

Trinity Lutheran Church continues to minister to the needs of a small but loyal group of members. Among them are many descendants of the first families who founded the church more than 100 years ago.

Worship services are held each Sunday at 10:45 a.m., conducted by Pastor Clark Davis. The Rev. Hicks provides organ music.

Quantcast