The Lord’s Work through Trinity: 100 Years

In the early 1900’s, the President of the University of Missouri expressed his concern for the spiritual needs of the students. This was the spark that resulted in the first Lutheran Church in Columbia. At that time, the District Mission Board of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod purchased property for the construction of a church building at the corner of College Avenue and Anthony Street.

The year of 1922 saw the installation of the Rev. Albert C. Bernthal as the first pastor of the mission. A basement chapel was constructed, and the completed structure was dedicated on July 22, 1928. Prior to the completion of the building, the congregation was organized as Trinity Lutheran Church in March 1925.
In 1953, the Western District Mission Board and the Commission on Campus Work began considering the possibility of separating the campus and parish ministries. On January 1, 1958, the separation was completed, creating two ministries: Campus Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church.
A group of Trinity members formed the Columbia Lutheran Association, Inc., which purchased 40 acres of land in west Columbia, subdividing all but 5 acres into 88 residential lots. The Association donated the proceeds of the sale to the lots, which paid for the construction of a new sanctuary at West Rollins and Bourn Avenue.
The cornerstone of Trinity’s current sanctuary was laid on August 27, 1961. Dedication of the sanctuary to the glory of God took place on February 18, 1962. Trinity expanded its facilities in 1986 with an 8,000 square foot educational wing housing the church office and the Child Learning Center.
In 1991, Trinity worked with the Missouri District to create a mission congregation. Alive in Christ Lutheran Church entered the LCMS in January 1993.

In 1998, work began on a 9,000 square foot multi-purpose center and additional classrooms, and in September 1999, the facility was dedicated.
In the early 1900’s, the President of the University of Missouri expressed his concern for the spiritual needs of the students. This was the spark that resulted in the first Lutheran Church in Columbia. At that time, the District Mission Board of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod purchased property for the construction of a church building at the corner of College Avenue and Anthony Street.

The year of 1922 saw the installation of the Rev. Albert C. Bernthal as the first pastor of the mission. A basement chapel was constructed, and the completed structure was dedicated on July 22, 1928. Prior to the completion of the building, the congregation was organized as Trinity Lutheran Church in March 1925.
In 1953, the Western District Mission Board and the Commission on Campus Work began considering the possibility of separating the campus and parish ministries. On January 1, 1958, the separation was completed, creating two ministries: Campus Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church.
A group of Trinity members formed the Columbia Lutheran Association, Inc., which purchased 40 acres of land in west Columbia, subdividing all but 5 acres into 88 residential lots. The Association donated the proceeds of the sale to the lots, which paid for the construction of a new sanctuary at West Rollins and Bourn Avenue.
The cornerstone of Trinity’s current sanctuary was laid on August 27, 1961. Dedication of the sanctuary to the glory of God took place on February 18, 1962. Trinity expanded its facilities in 1986 with an 8,000 square foot educational wing housing the church office and the Child Learning Center.
In 1991, Trinity worked with the Missouri District to create a mission congregation. Alive in Christ Lutheran Church entered the LCMS in January 1993.

In 1998, work began on a 9,000 square foot multi-purpose center and additional classrooms, and in September 1999, the facility was dedicated.