Trinity Lutheran set to celebrate

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This article was published 18/09/2017 (3098 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Much has changed over the past 50 years, but Trinity Lutheran Church in Starbuck has been a constant in the lives of many local families since 1967.

A committee of church members is organizing events to celebrate the church’s history and important role within the community and area.

“We designated October as our celebratory month,” said Susan Burns.

Burns has become well-acquainted with Trinity Lutheran’s history as she recently completed a booklet that details the church’s activities from 1991 to 2017 and adds to Louise Ammeter’s historical compilation covering 1967 to 1990, done for the 25th anniversary.

Trinity Lutheran was formed when three local congregations merged — Starbuck, St. Paul’s and Bethlehem in 1966, but the first Lutheran services were conducted in the Starbuck area by pastors from North Dakota in the early 1900s.

The church, with an attached parsonage, at 43 River Ave. in Starbuck was designed by Winnipeg architect Étienne Gaboury. It contains unique features such as a bubble skylight that shines on the baptismal font, a row of stained glass windows that shine their light on an adjacent wall, a stylized cross and other modernist touches. The acoustics are good and the annual Meridian Arts Festival’s musical competitions are held in the church.

“The design is classic. It never dates itself,” Burns said.

A bright and spacious downstairs area houses weekly Sunday school classes, a vacation bible school and meeting space, among other activities.

The committee has timed the 50th anniversary celebration dinner on Sat., Oct. 7 in the Starbuck Community Hall (25 Main St.) and anniversary worship service on Sun., Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. to coincide with the church’s original dedication date of Oct. 8, 1967.

Committee member Gwen Rasmussen said they hope that some former residents will return over the Thanksgiving weekend to attend the banquet and service.

“We’re hoping for 200 people plus (at the Sunday service),” she said.  The church has seating for 225.

National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Rev. Susan Johnson and some former Trinity pastors will be attending.

Rasmussen admits that the church has had its high and low points throughout its 50 years. Sunday services usually draw about 70 to 80 people, but were once attended by over 100.

“We have an active Sunday school, but our numbers have dropped over the years,” Rasmussen said.

“We do have some core families that have been here since day one,” she said.

After former interim pastor Ron Vert retired last year, the church has been searching for a replacement. In the meantime, lay people are able to lead the service.

The church has an active choir and music program thanks to the efforts of talented members, said committee member Becki Ammeter.
Following the fire on May 14, 2014 that destroyed Starbuck United Church, Trinity’s congregation has offered the United Church members space to hold their services. They have continued to meet there and hold their service at 11:30 a.m. following the Lutheran Church’s 10 a.m. service.

Ammeter said the Lutheran choir members join the United Church choir at the start of their service to sing together.

Trinity United Church members are active in the community, organizing food hampers and participating in the local COOL (Communities Offering Others Life) field project for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank since 2008.

Burns said a service to honour the church pioneers is scheduled on Sun., Oct. 15. The Oct. 22 service is designated as Music Sunday to recognize choir members, musicians and directors. All couples married in Trinity Lutheran Church since 1967 will be honoured on Oct. 29.

Rasmussen said that all the church’s 50th anniversary events and services are open to everyone.

For more information on Trinity Lutheran Church’s 50th anniversary, contact Rasmussen at 204-735-2772.