A Brief History of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church & School
Caledonia, Wisconsin (1855-2023)
Trinity had its beginnings about 1847 as circuit riders met with Lutheran immigrants in their homes. The congregation was formally organized in 1855 with eight charter families. A wood frame church was erected and a Christian day school was built in 1868. Trinity is one of the first Wisconsin Synod congregations to be founded in the Milwaukee area.
Services and school classes were conducted in German until 1909-1910, when English became the norm. The first parsonage was constructed in 1902 and still is in service. A second church was built in 1911 on the corner of Nicholson and Seven Mile Road at a cost of $11,000. It stood until the mid-1980s and was razed when the third (current) church was built in 1983. Ministry continued uneventfully until 1950, when a new school was built on Seven Mile Road.
In 1957 a home was purchased just south of the property to house the first school principal, Rupert Rosin. Today it still houses a member of the teaching staff. In 1961 a second school building was erected, known as the Nicholson School. This building abuts the current church building. That same year the congregation marked the 5th anniversary of the second church and one year later Lutheran Pioneers was established for youth ministry. In 1966 the first Kindergarten was begun. A building fund was established for the potential of building a new church. In 1975 a third home was purchased as a second teacherage.
In the 125th anniversary year of the congregation, major renovation was made to the original parsonage. A full-time vicarage program as established and the congregation moved from the WISCO high school federation to the Shoreland High School Federation. The third church building was completed in 1983 and still is the worship facility today.
In the 1980’s the congregation grew to nearly 700 communicants. There was a period of slight decline in the mid 1990’s when membership dipped to 520 communicants and about 800 souls.
In 1998 regular midweek services were added to the regular worship schedule. Afternoon services coordinated with the elementary school dismissal time were added for Lent including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday in 2008 and attendance at those services has increased considerably.
In 2001 a “Phase II” committee began exploring possible expansion for school and fellowship purposes. In 2002 and Endowment Fund was established, which helps earned interest off of principle to fund five major areas of ministry. The same year the Boy Pioneers was revitalized after many years of dormancy and has been very successful under dedicated leadership.
In 2003 a Building Expansion Committee was formed and the fruits of their labor – including classrooms, Fellowship Hall, kitchen, and gymnasium – were dedicated in 2008. Cost of the expansion construction was a little under 2 million dollars. Following the expansion Trinity has been blessed with student growth and more teachers, educational assistants, an extended learning teacher and a full time principal have been added to the ministry team to meet the growth of the school.
In 2010 Trinity earned accreditation through WELSSA and NCPSA, the National Council for Private School Accreditation, again in 2016, and 2021 Trinity was re-accredited. In 2014 Trinity became eligible for the Parental Choice Program, first for the Racine Parental Choice then the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program and the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
The Lord of the Church has been gracious in bringing souls to serve with the gospel in the classroom and the sanctuary. Currently our school enjoys an enrollment of more than 200 students and the number of souls under the church’s care continues to steadily grow. Today Trinity Congregation serves 722 communicants 929 baptized souls. Trinity is also grateful to God that we have about 70 students per year continue their Christian education at Shoreland Lutheran High School. May Jesus continue to grant such growth to our corner of the Kingdom until he returns in full glory.