In 1890, the
City of St.
Petersburg had a population of just 274 people and by 1903 it had grown to the point of incorporating
as a city. In was in 1910 with the population of St. Petersburg
at 4,127 that the people of the Lutheran faith were anxious to organize. On March 17, 1911 the first Lutheran congregation along the Gulf Coast of Florida was organized
with eighteen (18) charter members under the name, “Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Petersburg, Florida.”
Worship services were led by Reverend A. N. Warner and held in a room over Ramm's Garage, located at the corner of Second
Avenue South and Second Street South.
Captain F.W.
Ramm originally came to St. Petersburg in 1892 to operate a schooner between the ports on Tampa Bay. Captain
Ramm established the city's first machine and boiler repair works in 1906 and opened the city's first automobile repair garage
in 1908. Following the official organization of the newly formed church, Captain Ramm served as an elder.
In October
of 1911, the congregation purchased two (2) lots at the corner of 5th Street
South and 2nd Avenue South
(site of the historic YMCA building). The following year, a chapel was built on the property; and in 1913 an eight (8)
room parsonage was constructed under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel John Hall D.D. who accepted the pastorate in
December 1912. He would serve the church from February 1913 through November 1917 before leaving to serve as a chaplain
in the United States Army.
The Reverend
W. E. Pugh, D.D. was called as Lieutenant Colonel John Hall D.D.'s replacement and would serve Trinity from July 1, 1918 through Dec. 31, 1926.
The Lutheran
population had steadily increased and by 1920, plans were made to relocate.
The progress
up to this time can be ascribed to the loyalty and sacrifice of a comparatively small congregation numbering less than 100
adults.
The original
chapel and parsonage were sold to the Young Man’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the present location at the intersection
of 4th Avenue North and 5th Street North was purchased on January
2, 1922 as the new site for Trinity Lutheran Church.
On January 21, 1923, the first service was held in the new church
even though it was unfinished and unfurnished. The interior of the nave was finished in 1924, the stained glass windows
were installed in 1925, and a M. P. Moller pipe organ was installed in 1926. The church was designed by a prominent
church architect from S t. Louis, Missouri, E.R. Froese and
constructed by Victor A. Boeke, a St. Petersburg contractor
and member of the congregation.
St. Petersburg was
growing rapidly at this time. Trinity was filled with worshippers each Sunday and Sunday School overflowed so that classes
were held in the basement, the pastor's office, church balcony, the sanctuary and even outdoors at times. Plans were
approved in 1951 to build a parish building at the cost of $125,000. Of that amount, $50,000 had been previously raised
and the remaining mortgage of $75,000, through the intensive effort and sacrifice on the part of the congregation, was burned
in 1956, just five years after its completion. It should be noted that many of the members volunteered their talents
and did much of the finishing wok as well as making many of the furnishings for the building.
In 1968, extensive
remodeling of the sanctuary was done including the installation of the new Knies-Jamerson Memorial Organ designed by the M.
P. Moller Pipe Organ Company of Hagerstownn, Maryland.
Trinity being
the first Lutheran church on the Gulf Coast of Florida has always been mindful for the need to stimulate and nurture growth
and so has actively engaged itself in the beginnings of new Lutheran missions. In the 1950's, serving as the Mother church, Trinity
was responsible for the establishment of:
- St.
Andrew Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg;
- Christ Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg; and,
- Lutheran Church
of the Holy Comforter, Treasure Island
Trinity was
also privileged to play a role in the development of Redeemer Lutheran
Church, St. Petersburg.
Trinity Lutheran
Church saw the need to provide dwelling places for people of modest means.
With the help of other area Lutheran churches, the Lutheran Apartments in downtown St. Petersburg
and Lutheran Residences in South Pasadena were established.
These buildings provide 400 units for residents from age 62, whatever their economic, racial or creedal background.
This congregation
looks to the future with a confidence that Trinity Lutheran Church members will continue in caring
for one another, serving the needs of our neighbors in our community and in the world.
--Adapted from "Trinity Lutheran
Church 1911-1986," published by the 75th Anniversary Committee in 1986 and "Trinity Lutheran Church 1911-2001," published by the 95th Anniversary Committee in 2001.
