History of Trinity United Methodist Church

If you enter Trinity United Methodist Church at the main entrance, you will find a plaque with the following inscription:

“Out of these roots the church was erected, on a tract of land known as the Campground.
  Camp meetings were held here from 1904-1956.”

The land, eleven acres on which we find the church, was the property of the Wisconsin Conference. When the Conference decided on a new area for the camp, the present site was offered to the three churches, Salem, Ebenezer and Emanuel. This meant by uniting of these churches, the new church would be built on the eleven acres of the old campground. The cost was $2,000. Later a small tract of land was sold to the Village of Lomira for a new street for the sum of $2,000.

At a congregational meeting in the Tabernacle, Melvin Grantman moved that the new church be called Trinity Evangelical United Brethren Church. This was approved. Also at this meeting the Council of Administration appointed the following Building Committee of eleven members: Walter Tolzman, Chairman; Leslie Hirsig, Secretary; Ben Ablard, Elsmer Berg, Edwin Dallman, Maurice Ehrhardt, Marvin Hayes, Harvey Luedtke, John Muentner, Kenneth Rhein and Peter Senn.

On September 27, 1963, Raeuber and Petrie, Inc. of Manitowoc were selected as the architects.

On March 2, 1964, the congregation approved the preliminary plans for the new church. A goal of $100,000 was set for a building fund before construction could begin.

On March 6, 1966, in two years and four days, the goal was exceeded with $100,276 in the fund.

On March 15, 1966, the bids were opened for the construction of the church.

On April 3, 1966, ground breaking took place.

On April 14, 1966, the contractors started work.

On July 17, 1966, the cornerstone was laid.

On January 29, 1967, the first worship service was held.

On May 14, 1967, the new church “Trinity Evangelical United Brethren Church” was dedicated. See Dedication Booklet.

The land on which Salem Church stood was sold to the Village of Lomira. On this land are now located the Municipal Building and the Fire Department.

It should be mentioned that three of the beautiful stained glass windows from Salem Church are electrified and displayed in the lounge of Trinity Church.

The words on an arch when one entered “The Campground” read:

“To the glory of God and the good of man.”

And so it is with Trinity.

Rev. Richard Sweitzer was the pastor during the construction of the church. He knew he had a special work to be done. I quote from a message of his: “Though I was pastor when the project was undertaken, a large measure of credit is due to others. ‘Others have labored and I have entered into their labor.’ John 4:38b. Like the Apostle Paul said, ‘I planted, Apollos watered but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.’ I Corinthians 3:6, 7.”

With Trinity being built on the Campground site, Salem Church was razed and the land sold. The parsonage was sold to Robert and Frances Coulter, members of Salem. The Emanuel Church was also razed and Ebenezer Church was struck by lightning. The bells from Salem were electrified and the Ebenezer bell was placed on the site of the church.

Rev. Sweitzer kept a watchful eye on the construction of both the church and parsonage. Many times he noticed a mistake had been made and a correction was necessary. He was a perfectionist and we of Trinity thank him for being a good and faithful servant. It was his wish and prayer that the church, parsonage and grounds should be beautiful.