HISTORY
The fledgling Holy Trinity Lutheran Church found its first permanent home in a house that sat on the present site on the corner of State St. and Woodland Ave. This house was renovated with funds raised by the Women’s Home and Foreign Ministry Association and the hard work of its members. This house turned church was home to the young congregation for thirteen years while plans were made and a fund established to build a more permanent church home. The original house was moved to the east side of Woodland Avenue to make room for the new building. It was later used as a grocery store, barber shop, beauty shop, and an apartment building. Easter Sunday 1930 brought a close to this early chapter of Holy Trinity history as the congregation moved into it new home.
The original building, complete with furnishings, was constructed for a total cost of $40,373.39. The organ was purchased for an additional $3,150.00. The young congregation moved into the new building with high hopes and mortgage payments. The church continued to grow and develop and the final mortgage payment was made in April of 1944. Twenty seven years after those first fourteen people met and made plans for a new English speaking Lutheran church, Holy Trinity was debt free and thriving on the corner of State St and Woodland Ave.
Holy Trinity opened the doors to the newly built church at a dedication service on February 8, 1931. The church furnishings were chosen after much thought and planning. The altar was built from beautiful hardwood and was adorned with a simple wooden cross.
Time moved on and changes were made to enhance an already beautiful worship setting to make it even more special. A “reredos” was added to the altar making this area the focal point of the sanctuary. A reredos is an artistic decoration behind the altar in a church that can be made of wood, stone, or even a wall hanging.
The hardwood cross that sat on the altar was replaced with a brass cross with matching candles, offering plates, and urns. That original wooden cross was changed into a wall hanging and was hung in fellowship area in 1956.
Lutherans are noted for symbolism and as you look around the sanctuary, you see evidence of this symbolism in many different places. The ceiling, wooden grill work on either side of the chancel, the ends of all the pews, the wood carvings on the altar, doors, window openings, and woodwork all were designed to point to heaven. The hardware on the doors and the top of chandeliers all are in the shape of the Trinity. As you look around you see evidence of Holy Trinity’s love and faith in God carved in wood, metal, and glass. As your eyes move around the sanctuary, the breath-taking beauty of the stained glass windows stands out as spectacular tribute to God.
The stained glass windows were created and installed in 1958 by the Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studio at a cost of $7300. Memorial gifts and personal contributions supplied the funds to purchase the windows. These windows tell of the life and work of Christ our Savior with colorful beauty and charm. The rear window of the sanctuary is called the “Christmas Window”.
The “Life of Christ” is the title of the center window above.
The window in the front (pulpit) is called the “Resurrection” window.
The balcony window is known as the “Apostle’s Window”. Windows at the front entrance, transom window, office, and elevator lobby are also expressions of love for Christ.
The building that houses the Holy Trinity church family then and now is steeped in beauty and symbolism that allow worshipers to feel closer to God when seated in one of its pews. Holy Trinity was certainly created with courage, built by faith during the past 100 years, and inspired to continue to live and work to spread the Good News of Jesus.