Trinity Church came into being
in the early 1850's when some German settlers to the area chose to organize a congregation
with services in their own language and with an emphasis on faithfulness to the Word of God.
While a congregation is known to have existed as far back as the spring of 1852, it was more
formally organized in 1860, adopting a constitution and the name of the Evangelical German
Lutheran Trinity Church of West Woolwich, Waterloo County, Canada West.
For at least 152 years, the congregation ministered in a rural setting, offering a small and intimate worship experience. In some ways, the congregation was like an extended family. The most recent structure was erected in 1880, with renovations occurring over the years. English services were added during the first World War and finally replaced the German services by the 1940's. In 1988, the congregation became a member of Lutheran Church - Canada, one of more than 330 Bible-based Lutheran churches in Canada.
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Over the years, as family members moved to the cities,
membership and attendance waned. Early in 2004, the congregation decided that the kingdom of
God would be better served and the mission of Christ Jesus better accomplished by joining forces
with a neighouring Lutheran congregation. A final worship service and celebration of God's
faithfulness was held on October 17, 2004. On that day, though there were many glassy eyes to
be seen, the members of Trinity gave God thanks for their past. How many congregations may lay
claim to more than 150 years of faithful Word and Sacrament ministy!
Since the closing of the congregation, 33 members (the bulk of the membership) transfered to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Elmira. The building was taken down in 2005 after which St. Paul's assumed ownership of the cemetery.