A Brief History of Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning, Nebraska, USA, was founded by 14 pioneer families in 1884. The majority of these families had immigrated to the United States from Ostfriesland, a northern province of Germany. Many of them lived first in Illinois and then came on to Nebraska as land opened up in the West, settling on the plains near the present village of Bruning. Far from their familiar world in Europe, they soon were anxious to have a church home of their own.
Around 1880, a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Schaedel of Carleton, had begun conducting occasional services in the Prairie Star schoolhouse, which was located one mile east of the present town of Bruning. But this did not satisfy the religious needs of these devout Lutheran homesteaders. Whether accurately or not, some of them thought that Rev. Schaedel was trying to convert them to Presbyterianism. They were grateful, therefore, when an Ohio Synod Lutheran Pastor, Rev. Carl Buechler, arrived in 1883. Pastor Buechler was a missionary who also organized congregations in Carleton, Deshler, Glenvil, and Ruskin. He held services in the schoolhouse, where a German language Sunday school already had been organized a year earlier and was meeting on Sunday afternoons.
Under Pastor Buechler’s leadership, the new church—called the German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation—was organized in January, 1884. Three meetings were held on January 5, 7, and 19 in which the church constitution was revised and finally adopted. One of its stipulations was that only males who were at least 21 years old could vote. The first deacons and trustees were Dietrich (Frank) Bruning, Frederick Middendorf, G. H. Meyer, Henry Vohs (Voss), and Gottlieb Reichert. Among the charter members were Herman Bruning, Wm. Bruning, John Wagner, Adolph Philippi, Theodore Philippi, Eilt Wilhelms, John Wilhelms, Ede Janssen, Chris Eden, and Wm. Witt. Twenty-two men signed the constitution. Rev. Beuchler served the congregation diligently for four years through many hardships.
In August of 1884, the congregation unanimously voted to build a 24’ by 36’ church at the cost of $800 (Note: In 1884, land in the Bruning area sold for around $8-10 per acre, while in 2008 it is selling for $3000 or more). Thus this was quite an undertaking for just a few people. A tract of eight acres near the east edge of the present village was acquired, partly from a gift from Frank Bruning, with the rest purchased. The tract was to be used for a church site and for a cemetery. Times were very hard, however. For example, when the congregation attempted to borrow $100 from the National Bank in Hebron at 10% interest, it was allowed only $75, with $2 withheld as pre-paid interest!
1n 1888, members of the congregation had decided that it was time to call their own pastor. The pastor who answered the call was Rev. G. F. Stuecklin, whose duties also included teaching in the parochial school. School already was being held in the church building, four days a week in October, November, January, and February, with congregation member John Wilhelms serving as teacher. Rev. Stuecklin resigned in 1892 and was replaced by Rev. Carl Dagefoerde.
This first church soon proved to be much too small as the congregation grew rapidly to more than 350 people. In 1893, the trustees elected to build a large church, 72 feet long containing an altar niche, a high bell tower to hold a 1700 lb. bell, and a balcony. The first building was moved eastward to become the parochial school, which now had accredited teachers.
Before World War I, all services, Sunday school, and parochial school instruction were conducted in the German language. As war-related sentiment turned against use of the German language in the U.S., keeping the German language in the church became practically an obsession for some. In the end, however, they were forced to use English by the State Council of Defense. The name of the church was changed to Trinity Lutheran Church and Rev. Dagefoerde, who could not speak English, resigned and moved to Hebron. Rev. Carl Bartels became pastor, serving from 1914 to 1924. The church’s parochial school also was closed in 1914, but reopened in 1924 and continued in operation through 1932. The year 1932 also marked the last of German language church services, which had continued periodically. Rev. Bartels was followed by the Rev. J. B. Cronek, who served from 1924 to 1949, the longest period for any of Trinity’s pastors. It is said that Rev. Cronek could speak or read seven languages. He also was a pianist and led the choir in all the years he was in Bruning.
In 1948 construction of a new church was begun at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets in Bruning. Dedication was April 20, 1950, with the dedication led by Rev. C. E. Schaff. Rev. Schaff, who served Trinity from 1949-1958, had special gifts for organization. His arrival during the building process came at a critical time and helped bring the church’s construction to completion. In the ensuing years, he appointed and coordinated many active committees that aided in focusing and carrying out the congregation’s mission. Rev., Schaff also led the choir and organized the South-Central Nebraska chorus.
The pastors who since have followed Rev. Schaff to Trinity likewise have each contributed their special gifts to our congregation. Rev. John Hieronymus (1958- 1965), for example, was one of Trinity’s most dedicated servants of the sick and dying, bringing them comfort and assurances of God’s presence. The Rev. Fred Hueners (1965-1971) will be remembered for initiating the Bethel Series, in which lay members led Bible discussions. In this series, Trinity members Carol Deepe, Frank Bringewatt, Carl Middendorf, and Delma Bruning undertook three years of intense Bible study under Rev. Hueners’ leadership before teaching their own large Bethel classes. Rev. Thomas Damrow (1971-1990) made it possible for children who had reached fifth grade to receive communion and urged parishioners to receive communion every time it was offered.
Rev. Vern Barlow (1990-2000) brought a warm presence to Trinity and was the first to have greeters to our church services. A pastor who had an exceptional connection to adolescents (for example, the high school students gave him a school tee shirt to wear to their games), he attended most school sporting events and often announced the results of games at church. Rev. Liddy Howard (2001-2004) brought another “first” to Trinity as its first female pastor. She will be remembered for her thoughtful Bible classes, for urging congregation members to buy study Bibles, and introducing intinction to our Communion service. Rev. Stuart Sell, served Trinity from 2004-2021. Rev. Sell provided yet another first for our congregation—he was the first of our ministers to have entered the Lutheran ministry having first followed another career. Our current pastor, Rev. Leah Fintel Krotz, is also a second-career pastor who was called to Trinity in 2023.
Just as changes followed the arrival of each new minister at Trinity, changes and improvements to the church’s physical space have continued over the years. A new parsonage was built just to the north of the church in 1959. An education wing and stained-glass windows were added in 1969. A new bell tower was dedicated August 31, 1986. It houses the original church bell, which was brought back from the cemetery where it had been located for many years. The 1980s and 1990s also saw such important changes and additions as an elevator, ceiling fans, kitchen remodeling, new cabinets in several rooms, seating for disabled parishioners, and a free-standing altar.
Among the most important changes at Trinity were those leading to women taking a full role in the congregation. Women, who previously were not allowed to vote on church matters, received voting privileges in 1961, but still were not allowed to serve on the Church Council. That possibility opened in 1980 and the very next year, 1981, saw the election of the first woman, Mary Heinrichs, to the Council. A final step toward full inclusion of women in the life of the church was taken in 2001 when Pastor Liddy Howard was installed as Trinity’s pastor.
Several important organizations of the church were formed and underwent change over the years. The Luther League was started in 1915, the Ladies Aid in 1921, the Lutheran Brotherhood in 1926, the Woman’s Missionary Society in 1928, and the Missionary Guild in 1955. The Ladies Aid was a special godsend to the congregation, especially since finances often were difficult. It frequently helped with current expenses, saved and donated a large amount of money toward a new church, and even paid $3200 of the $3700 cost for a different parsonage in 1946.
Before it was disbanded in the 1960s, the Brotherhood was very active, with Trinity’s own Dale Bruning serving as national president for several years. The church’s women’s organizations—the Ladies Aid, the Women’s Missionary Society and the Missionary Guild—were equally active, combining into a single group after the American Lutheran Church’s merger with other Lutheran synods in 1960. Trinity always has had an active Sunday school, along with a Vacation Bible School that began in the 1950s.
Changes taking place nationally and internationally also affected Trinity Lutheran Church over the years. As mentioned earlier, the American Lutheran Church first merged with other Lutheran synods in 1960; another merger in 1988 formed the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In 2023, Trinity’s membership voted to leave the ELCA and become a member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC).
Trinity Lutheran’s fine musical program has been a source of great pride for our congregation over the years. Trinity has never lacked for musical talent, with outstanding organists, choir directors, and singers. Our current organist is Janice Fintel, who began playing in 1964. In 2025, Tom Belanger became our pianist. Other organists in the past 25 years have included Joan Langhorst, Janelle Bruning, Therese Flessner, Velma Bringewatt, Sondra Myers, Julie Johnson, Joy Philippi, and Deb Pohlmann.
Choir directors have included Anne Bowman, Deb Pohlmann, and Betty Edzards. Lola Johnson, also an organist, substituted for neighboring congregations, while Myra Kluck served as pianist for the choir and Sunday school. Each of these individuals has enriched our spiritual lives through their selection of sacred music, musical talent, and direction of our choirs.
Another special source of pride has been the sons and daughters of Trinity congregation who have dedicated their lives to the service of God through the ministry. Those who have become ordained ministers have included Henry Ken, Lammert Redelfs, Otto Dagefoerde, Lester Johnson, Ernest Philippi, Leon Philippi, Robert Schaff and, most recently, Elaine Bringewatt Olson. Serving the ELCA through its Parish Ministry Association program are Jayne Rippe Germer and Debbie Polage Rippe.
