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Historical Sketch of Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Church was founded by Danish immigrants who
settled in Westbrook, Maine. The first Danish family, Mr.
and Mrs. Laust Horlick and their four children, arrived in
1873 followed by a steady influx of immigrants from Denmark.
The Horlicks invited other Danish families to their home for
worship. From 1876 to 1893, pastors from the First Lutheran
Church of Portland came to Westbrook and conducted worship
services in the homes nearly every Sunday afternoon. The
worshippers organized on November 2, 1882 and became the
"First Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Westbrook,
Maine". The congregation was incorporated on January 20,
1892 and shortly after decided it needed its own church.
Using $500. that the Ladies Aid had raised, a lot was
purchased on the corner of School and Main Streets. Within a
year a church building was erected at a cost of $3,124.87.
On January 1, 1893, the church was dedicated by Pastor N.J.
Ellestad.
Original Church
When the church building was completed the congregation had
grown to about forty adult members. Pastor Storli, serving
as "mission pastor" and preaching in Norwegian, felt it was
time for the congregation to have its own pastor. Pastor
P.P. Thoreby accepted the call and became the congregation's
first permanent pastor, serving the Westbrook and Falmouth
Lutheran congregations. Now Danish was used exclusively,
instead of Norwegian. Pastor Thoreby was a spiritual man who
favorably impressed people, especially the youth. Attendance
increased, with many of the parents of the youth seeking the
Lord. Pastor Thoreby remained with the congregation until
June 1905.
Pastor Eric Hansen became the next pastor, staying for only
one and a half years. On May 3, 1907, Pastor Christian
Christensen was called. During his pastorate membership
increased and the church, being only 30' x 50', no longer
met congregational needs. It was voted to add 20' to the
front of the building, moving the steeple to the side and
putting in a balcony. The congregation also purchased the
Sullivan House, located adjacent to the church, to use as a
parsonage. Pastor Christensen resigned on March 9, 1919 due
to failing health.
Pastor C.C. Kloth started his pastorate in July, 1920. The
congregation soon started using English for every other
Sunday evening service. Changes to the church included the
installation of a pipe organ, putting a foundation under the
building and finishing the basement for use by the Sunday
School. Following Pastor Kloth's resignation on May 13,
1928, Pastor Staby was called. During his pastorate a new
constitution was adopted giving women a right to vote. In
1935, English was used for morning worship on the first and
third Sundays. Following Pastor Staby's resignation, Pastor
S.S. Nielsen was called. At the January 25, 1942 yearly
meeting it was voted to hold all worship services in English
and to celebrate the congregation's 60th anniversary on
November 2, 1942. The chancel was redecorated and a new
altar was installed for the occasion. In January, 1943, the
name of the congregation was changed to "First Lutheran
Church of Westbrook, Maine". Pastor S.S. Nielsen resigned in
April of 1944.
On October 15, 1944 Pastor Otto Nielsen was installed. While
serving our congregation a Danish merchant ship was held in
Portland Harbor. Many of the congregation showed kindnesses
to the sailors and as an expression of appreciation they
presented it with a miniature of the ship "Jutta", which is
now on display in the front stairwell of the church. On
January 27, 1946, the congregation changed its name to
"Trinity Lutheran Church, Westbrook, Maine". A new Moller
pipe organ was dedicated on October 15, 1950. Pastor Nielsen
resigned August 6, 1951.
Elmer Anderson, was
installed as pastor on June 8, 1952. At the 1954 annual
meeting a vote was passed to put a 12' wide addition the
full length of the church on the School Street side,
increasing seating by 80 in the sanctuary and creating three
additional Sunday School classrooms in the vestry. Many
memorial gifts were received including the art glass
windows, altar cross, missal stand, chancel chairs, lectern,
pulpit and baptismal font. Pastor Anderson resigned in 1958.
Allison Hansen was installed
in January, 1959 and served until January, 1965. He
reinstituted Sunday evening services, held twice a month. In
1959, the congregation purchased a new parsonage at 139
Mason St. The old parsonage became the parish house/Sunday
School building.
The social and ethical
questions facing Americans in the 1950s and 1960s were real
challenges for Christians. In 1965, the District President
asked Trinity to consider calling a recent seminary graduate
as pastor. The congregation complied when it called Timothy
Greene, who formed bridges between established practices and
attitudes with changes that were to come. In July, 1967,
Pastor Perry Hansen came to Trinity and urged his
parishioners to participate more in church activities and to
seek God's will in their lives. Koinonia, a series of
fellowship meals and studies, created new relationships
among the participants. He planted seeds that were nourished
after his resignation in June, 1972.
Pastor David Isaacson,
another recent Seminary graduate, became pastor in 1972. He
introduced the Bethel Series Study, included girls as
acolytes and expanded cooperation between area Lutheran
churches. In 1978, the new Lutheran Book of Worship was
introduced. He resigned in August, 1978 having observed much
progress in the ministry of the church.
Michael Murphy, a lay
minister, conducted services until March, 1979 when the
members assumed full responsibilities for all church
functions until Pastor Allen Barnes became our spiritual
leader in August, 1979. Outreach activities include
resettlement of two refugee families, establishment of a
clothes closet, mission support through direct involvement
and financial support of local and church wide activities.
One of the more exciting
events was the year long celebration of the congregation's
100th Anniversary, culminating on November 6, 1982 with an
Anniversary Banquet and Program. Changes to the church
include remodeling the chancel, adding a free standing
altar, major repairs to roof and bell tower and redecoration
of the interior of the church. Perhaps the biggest
accomplishment was the replacement of the old parish
house/Sunday School building with a new educational building
dedicated on January 2, 1994 by Bishop Robert Isakson. The
new building and the church are handicapped accessible.
Christian education is
available through Sunday School, confirmation, adult classes
and Bible study. Worship is held every Sunday, regardless of
the weather. Efforts are ongoing to offer a meaningful
variety of worship options so that there will be something
to meet the needs and preferences of all. Music plays a
meaningful role in worship and other aspects of church life.
There is a youth and an adult choir. The youth are highly
valued and are encouraged to participate in worship and
other church activities. The youth organization is active
and involved.
Trinity Lutheran Church - 1997
Through the past one hundred
and fifteen years God has truly blessed our congregation.
Thirteen pastors have served us well. Sixteen of our former
members have entered the ministry. As we look ahead to the
next century we need to meet the new challenges with
enthusiasm and vigor. While our accomplishments have been
many we need to find new and meaningful ways to meet the
needs of others in society. May we continue to do unto
others as God has done unto us.
Much material taken from histories written
for the 75th and 100th Anniversary booklets. (me) |