Worship Site Profile: Trinity Lutheran Church

Published 9:30 am Friday, October 20, 2017

Lutheran churches around the world are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

It was in 1517 that Martin Luther, a German monk, became concerned with differences he found between the Bible he studied and the Church practices of the day. He declared that people are saved by faith alone in Christ Jesus alone. His writings (thanks to the newly-invented printing press) and his lectures and sermons inspired others to protest and reform the Christian Church’s practices – and the society.

By the 1620’s, Lutherans from Germany and Scandinavia were settling in the New World. The earliest official records show that Lutherans were in Meridian in 1894, when they banded together and held services in the Old City Hall, led by a pastor from Mobile, Ala. 

The first permanent Lutheran congregation in Meridian began in 1939 as Bethlehem Lutheran. In 1948, the congregation changed its name to Christ Lutheran. In 1966, they started construction on a new church building located on Highway 39N, which is where we are today.

During the 1960’s, two other Lutheran congregations started in Meridian. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church began as a mission in the black community. Our Savior Lutheran Church in Butler, Ala. was founded when the American Can Company moved a group of Lutheran employees from Wisconsin to Alabama. Seven pastors served the three congregations from 1969 until 1996, many of them serving all three of the congregations at the same time.

In 1996, the members of Good Shepherd, Our Savior and Christ congregations united to form Trinity Lutheran Church. For over 20 years, this diverse group has worshiped and fellowshipped as one family. Together we tackled a building expansion project, adding classrooms, a choir loft, and a bigger fellowship hall. Our current pastor, Rev. Ken Boudreau, was ordained and installed in Aug. 2007.

Trinity will be hosting a Reformation Celebration for the whole community on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 2-6 p.m. There will be games and a ‘jump house’ for kids, along with crafts, food, and music – free for all. The newest movie about Luther will be shown. All are welcome.

About the church:

Name: Trinity Lutheran Church.

Pastor: Rev. Ken Boudreau – 10 years.

Denomination: Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Address: 4805 Highway 39N, Meridian, MS 39301.

Service Times:

10 a.m. Sundays, Wednesday night services during Lent and Advent.

Contact Info:

Church Phone – 601-483-5457.

E-mail: trinity3460@bellsouth.net

Website: www.tlcms.com.

Weekly Programs: Sunday School and Bible Class every Sunday at 8:45 a.m.

Founded: Lutherans in Meridian since 1894, Trinity founded as three congregations combined on Sept. 15, 1996.

Members: 106

Special upcoming events:

A celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2-6 p.m.

Worship Site Profile appears Saturdays in The Meridian Star and is coordinated by Cheryl Owens. Recommend your site to cowens@themeridianstar.com.