Chapter 19
-- Compiled by the Cumberland Women's Club
and Published by the Cumberland Advocate
1874-1974
(used by permission of the Cumberland Advocate)
Donated by Linda Mott
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History of Trinity Lutheran Church
Route 3, Cumberland, Wisconsin
In 1904, four women, Mrs. Margreta Lundmark, Mrs. Samuel Grenquist, Mrs. Gust Risberg, and Mrs. Jack Risberg met for the purpose of raising funds to build a place of worship amidst the dense pine forest. This was the beginning of Trinity Lutheran Church.
The cornerstone was laid in
1907, and in January, 1909. the first annual meeting was held of the congregation
known as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Piteo Congregation.
Pastor
Edman from Cumberland came out in horse and buggy to conduct services,
all in the Swedish language. Five morning services and eight afternoon
services were held through the years. The
salary of Pastor Edman for
the year was $112.50 plus the Christmas offering.
"Everything was very crude", recalls one of our senior citizens. "We sat on planks supported by blocks and nail kegs. Blue building paper finished the walls. Christmas was a big affair. Barrels of gifts would be brought to the church and gifts were exchanged for family and friends."
During World War I, Pastor G.E. Linsten served the congregation. He was also the first pastor to drive the distance from Cumberland to Loraine in a car, which was furnished by the Augustana Lutheran Congregation.
In 1938, the name of the church was changed to Trinity Lutheran Church and the Swedish language finally gave way to English. Electricity was also added in May 1938.
In 1945 discussions were held on changing the heating system from wood to oil, but it was decided that a basement was really needed first. It wasn't until 1951 that the process of moving the building and excavating actually began. During this period, services were held at the neighboring Methodist Church, with a joint service on Easter Sunday.
A new two point parish was established in 1956 between Trinity and Georgetown Lutheran Church of Route 1, Balsam Lake. In September of 1961, this parish approved a merger with the American Lutheran Church, and, are both served today by Pastor James A. Gordon of Loraine.
The present church council
consists of Norman Anderson, President; Mrs.
Russel Anderson, Secretary; Mrs. Everett Erickson,
Treasurer; James Stenberg, Roger
Beecroft, and Roland Renstrom, Deacons;
and Donald Wood, Paul
Grenquist, and Barry Wickstrom, Trustees.
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