Over a Century of Sharing the Gospel in NE Portland

In 1891 a new congregation, Trinity, became a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. In the Lutheran tradition, an elementary school was included in the initial plan and Trinity Lutheran School classes met in the basement of the church building. The first teacher was the pastor of the charter congregation.

The congregation's continued dedication to elementary education was evident, when in 1903 property was purchased at NE Rodney and Ivy and a two room schoolhouse was built. Portland's Concordia University was begun in 1905 enrolling seventeen students and using the vacated church basement for classes. Not until 1919 was Trinity able to build a new, larger church building at the Rodney and Ivy location.

In 2007, the 1919 Trinity Church building was destroyed by fire. It was owned by Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church at that time.
Photo: Andrew Hall, PortlandBridge Used with Permission

The scenario replayed in 1959 when the congregation moved Trinity School to the present site, originally building only the gym and classrooms. Additional school and office space was added in 1975 and 1981. During this entire time, the congregation chose to fund education facilities over the building of a sanctuary, worshiping for 30 years in the gymnasium. In 1989, the current church building was dedicated.

Today, Trinity congregation continues to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with its members, the community, our school children and their families.

Although Lutheran elementary education is still the primary ministry, the congregation also reaches into the neighborhood with a thriving Spanish Language Ministry, Oregon Food Bank distributions and community events on its property. Opportunities for worship, fellowship, service, Bible study and sharing Christ with each other exist in the congregation.

This Web site will give information about Trinity congregation as it serves
its community and its members today.

Lutheran Links

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
LCMS - North West District
Our History (Trinity & the Lutheran Church in the North Western United States)