Photos courtesy of Trinity Lutheran Top: The anniversary celebration brought many folks to the lovely Hovland church. (L-R) Carl Eidness, whose father was the first Trinity pastor; Pastor Bob Stoskopf of Bethlehem Lutheran Church; and Bishop Tom Aitken shared reminiscences about the church and community. Bottom: Bonnie and Paul Muus visited with Esther Erickson after the hymn sing.
Staff reports
On August 29 and 30, 2009, Trinity Lutheran in Hovland celebrated its 100th anniversary. On Saturday, the congregation, friends, and those long associated with Trinity joined in a Commemoration Worship Service at the cemetery (the site of the original church building).
Later in the day, at the historic Trinity Lutheran Church on Highway 61, more people gathered for time of welcome and recollection. The gathering included music and a spirited hymn sing.
The warm conversation and feeling of community continued at a dinner at the Hovland Town Hall, attended by close to 200 people who chatted into the evening.
Sunday worship included greetings and preaching from Northeastern Minnesota ELCA Bishop Tom Aitken, a hymn composed especially for the centennial, the Trinity Brass, and a Centennial Choir of people from Trinity and Bethlehem Lutheran of Grand Marais, and visitors.
Visitors with connections to Trinity Lutheran came from all over Cook County, from Nebraska, Florida, North and South Dakota, and around Minnesota.
Among the many attending were a son of the first pastor in 1909, descendants of the builder of the first church, a son of the designer of the “new church” (dedicated in 1950), people from Hovland and beyond who worked in partnership to construct the current Trinity building, several former pastors and members of this community of faith.
Current pastor Kris Garey said, “The enthusiasm and joy put into the weekend let people recall old and recent times and talk about the future Trinity has for serving Christ in the community and world.”
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