HISTORY OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH,
FRIEDENSAU
In 1873, Pastor John Jacob Kerns served as a missionary for the scattered Lutherans who settled this area. Pastor Kerns started a settlement just northwest of the present day church and named it Friedensau , which means Peaceful Meadow.
On December 6, 1874, the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized. In January of 1875, this congregation became a member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Also at this time they received the 40 acre tract of land where the church, parish hall, parsonage, and cemetary are still located.
Trinity, Fridensau, claims one of the first parochial schools in Nebraska. In 1879, the first school building was built, later to be referred to as the South School. In 1892 a school was built by some of the north members and was organized as the North School District in 1907. Both schools came under the wing of the congregation in 1943. The North and South Schools merged into one on the church property in 1956. In 1966, this school consolidated with St. Peter , Deshler, to form the Deshler Lutheran School Association, of which we are still a member.
Trinity, Friedensau, is considered the "mother" of all Lutheran churches in this area. In 1881, a number of members were released to start Bethlehem Lutheran Church in nearby Kiowa. Several members withdrew their memberships in 1883, to form Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler. In December, 1886, ten families left to form St. Peter Lutheran Church in Deshler. Immanual Lutheran Church, located two miles west of Deshler on Highway 136, was formed in 1887. In 1915, several members left and helped in the formation of Trinity Lutheran Church in Clover, Idaho. Five families left to help form Faith Lutheran Church in Hebron, and along with Trinity, Friedensau, formed a dual parish in 1963. The two congregations later separated in 1980.
At one time, all church services were held in the German language. By 1925, one service a month was held in English and, that same year, the schools changed to all English textbooks. In 1938, Trinity's constitution was changed to English, and by 1941, all congregational meetings were conducted in English. The Lutheran Hymnal was put into use at this time. On January 1, 1956, a permanent Bible Class and Sunday School were established.
Organizations of the church, past and present, are as follows:
FRIEDENSAU
In 1873, Pastor John Jacob Kerns served as a missionary for the scattered Lutherans who settled this area. Pastor Kerns started a settlement just northwest of the present day church and named it Friedensau , which means Peaceful Meadow.
On December 6, 1874, the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized. In January of 1875, this congregation became a member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Also at this time they received the 40 acre tract of land where the church, parish hall, parsonage, and cemetary are still located.
Trinity, Fridensau, claims one of the first parochial schools in Nebraska. In 1879, the first school building was built, later to be referred to as the South School. In 1892 a school was built by some of the north members and was organized as the North School District in 1907. Both schools came under the wing of the congregation in 1943. The North and South Schools merged into one on the church property in 1956. In 1966, this school consolidated with St. Peter , Deshler, to form the Deshler Lutheran School Association, of which we are still a member.
Trinity, Friedensau, is considered the "mother" of all Lutheran churches in this area. In 1881, a number of members were released to start Bethlehem Lutheran Church in nearby Kiowa. Several members withdrew their memberships in 1883, to form Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler. In December, 1886, ten families left to form St. Peter Lutheran Church in Deshler. Immanual Lutheran Church, located two miles west of Deshler on Highway 136, was formed in 1887. In 1915, several members left and helped in the formation of Trinity Lutheran Church in Clover, Idaho. Five families left to help form Faith Lutheran Church in Hebron, and along with Trinity, Friedensau, formed a dual parish in 1963. The two congregations later separated in 1980.
At one time, all church services were held in the German language. By 1925, one service a month was held in English and, that same year, the schools changed to all English textbooks. In 1938, Trinity's constitution was changed to English, and by 1941, all congregational meetings were conducted in English. The Lutheran Hymnal was put into use at this time. On January 1, 1956, a permanent Bible Class and Sunday School were established.
Organizations of the church, past and present, are as follows:
- 1916 Male Choir
- 1926 Mixed Choir
- 1932 Ladies Aid
- 1950 Lutheran Laymen's League
- 1966 Pricilla League
- 1982 Friends of Friedensau (formerly Young Adults)
- 1989 Teens Group in Fridensau (formerly Walther League)
CHURCH MILESTONES
- 1874: Lutherans begin settling in the Little Blue River Valley, where both the Pony Express and the Oregon Trail followed earlier Native American trails. Pastor J.J. Kerns names the settlement Friedensau, which means Peaceful Meadow, after a town in the Bavarian Alps.
- 1878: First church is dedicated. It is 32x55 feet, with a 14x16 foot vestry. The church soon begins one of the state's first parochial schools.
- 1881: First "daughter" church is started in nearby Kiowa.
- 1899: Existing Trinity church is built, using some of the lumber from the original building, at a cost of nearly $6.000.00.
- 1999: Trinity celebrates its 125th anniversary, 100 years after the new building went up.
- 2024: Trinity will celebrate its 150th anniversary.
