A Brief History of Eternal Trinity Lutheran Church

A brief history of Eternal Trinity

Organization

On February 8, 1960 the mission committee of the Southern District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod decided to begin working on a Lutheran mission in Milton. The committee enlisted the Rev. Herbert Holz, the pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Crestview, to begin work in Milton as well. Pastor Holz began work in Milton on July 27, 1960, and on February 5, 1961, he lead the first worship service in the Oakhurst School, which is now Rhodes Elementary School. After the completion of the first adult confirmation class, the charter members celebrated the first communion service on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 1961.

Pastors

Pastor Holz continued to serve Eternal Trinity until June 2, 1963 when he left to serve as pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in New Orleans. A number of pastors have served at Eternal Trinity and then gone on to serve the Synod in other congregations, as chaplains, and in other synodical offices. From July 7, 1996 to January 2, 2000, the Rev. Dennis Rahn served as pastor. Pastor Rahn is now the Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Manistee, MI. Pastor Daniel Thies was installed on July 23, 2000, and has served as the pastor at Eternal Trinity since that time.

Two members of Eternal Trinity entered the seminary while they were here and have become pastors in the Lutheran Church. Leonard B. Poppe, the son of Clarence of and Lucille Poppe, was ordained at Eternal Trinity on June 14, 1987. He has served as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Columbus, MS and now serves as pastor of Immanuel and Zion Lutheran Churches, Lincoln, MO. George M. Coffman was ordained in 1988 and is pastor of Eternal Shepherd Lutheran Church, Seneca, SC. The Rev. Tim Sowers is a member of Eternal Trinity who is serving as a chaplain in the U.S. Army.

Property

The present church property was purchased with the help of the mission board on May 11, 1961 along with a church parsonage. The parsonage was used for meetings and confirmation instruction while worship was conducted at the school. The congregation broke ground for the sanctuary on August 8, 1965. The first service in the new building was held on January 23, 1966. The building was dedicated on February 27, 1966. Pastors William Wedig and Herbert Holz spoke at the dedication. In 1969, insulation was added to the ceiling of the sanctuary and the parking lot was paved. New padded chairs were purchased for use in the sanctuary and the building was carpeted in 1984.

The congregation again undertook a building project that expanded the sanctuary and added the narthex and fellowship building in 1992. A large portion of the cost was paid using a donation from the estate of Len and Lois Scheck. The congregation financed the remainder through our district Church Extension Fund. The congregation made the final payment on the debt at the end of 2000 and burned the mortgage on February 11, 2001.

After receiving several bids, the stewardship committee presented its findings to the congregation on March 18, 2001, and the voters unanimously approved the purchase of the Britson organ. Forbes and Associates installed the on April 3 in time for Holy Week. The dedication of the organ was set to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of the congregation on June 3, 2001.

Education and Outreach

Eternal Trinity held its first Vacation Bible School in 1962 from June 18 to 29 with 75 children enrolled, and the congregation continues the sponsor VBS every summer to serve our younger members and to reach out the community with the gospel. The congregation maintains an active Sunday School program. It started a pre-school program September 8, 1992, but the program closed its doors in May of 1996 due to problems maintaining staffing. The congregation later provided space for the Learning Place, which was an independent pre-school from 2003-2005.

Eternal Trinity added an 8:00 Sunday service to its to regular worship schedule at the start of 2001 to create more opportunity for people to worship with us. Although the road has not always been easy, God has graciously blessed many people through the work of this congregation. We look forward to receiving many more blessings through his Word before he comes again to take us home.

This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true Father, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3