Trinity Lutheran Church celebrates 125 years

Sunday, Jan. 31, marks the 125th anniversary of Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church in Kalispell, and special services are planned that day to celebrate the milestone.

To mark the occasion, the Rev. Darold Reiner, who served as senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran from 1980 to 2004, will be preaching, and Associate Pastor Kevin Bueltmann will lead the rest of the services at the 8a.m. and 10:45 a.m. worship services on Sunday, Jan. 31. There will be coffee available after each service, historical church information and welcome packets for visitors. 

For individuals concerned about COVID-19, the church has an online presence with its contemporary 10:45 a.m. service available on YouTube each Sunday afternoon. 

As Trinity Lutheran Church prepares to celebrate the milestone in the Flathead community, the congregation is looking toward the future while remembering the countless individuals who have supported the congregation throughout the years.

“Trinity has had a huge impact on the Flathead area during [its] 125 years of ministry," Reiner said. "The influence of the school, the child care, Trinity Camp and the ministry to the developmentally disabled has been profound.

“Many of Trinity’s members have been involved over the years in the planting of new churches in Eureka, Columbia Falls, Whitefish and Creston," Reiner noted. "Trinity has continually looked beyond itself and tried to follow Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations and to share the good news with others.”

Bueltmann added, “Our church started 125 years ago, back when Kalispell was just a few years old. Since then, we have established a well-known, Christ-centered school, an amazing child-care center, and we have an awesome faith-based camp on Flathead Lake near Bigfork.”

His sentiments reflect the various programs Trinity offers to the community. In addition to Trinity’s elementary school, child-care center, and camp, Trinity offers men and women’s Bible studies, programs for children and youth, Bible classes for individuals with developmental disabilities, worship services for the hearing impaired, and several service groups open to the community.

"Trinity is working hard to keep its presence alive and strong within the Kalispell community for another 125 years," Bueltmann added. 

Several Anniversary celebrations are planned for the summer. June 5 is the annual community block party at the Trinity Lutheran School fields located at 400 W. California St.

To coincide with Trinity Lutheran Camp’s 70th anniversary, a celebration supper will be held Aug. 1 at the Camp’s beach in Bigfork. Several Trinity community leaders, LCMS pastors from around Montana, as well as staff and students from the school will be in attendance. 

Follow the QR codes for links to Trinity Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Camp or call the parish office at 406-257-LOVE (5683) for more information.

Katy Brimhall is the office and membership administrator for Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell.