A Church with a Vision

During the mid-19th century German immigrants arrived in Rockville to work in the local woolen mills.  They formed "The Lutheran Society" in 1866.  the following year they purchased their first church building on West Main Street.

In 1882, a group of about 40 families established a new Missouri Synod congregation which was Trinity.  They built a church at 85 Prospect Street and established a German school.  The school operated until 1917 with as many as 100 children at a time enrolled.  then, during World War I, speaking German was less acceptable.  The congregation began a gradual transition to English.  The German era closed when German services were officially discontinued on November 11, 1940.

From 1923 to 1963 the Reverend Erich O. Pieper served as Trinity's pastor.  In these 40 years he was much loved by several generations, for his thunderous voice as a preacher, his excellence as a teacher, and his steady presence in the lives of his congregation.

In the 1970's a new church building was constructed on Meadowlark Road.  The "look" of worship changed with a new liturgy, lay readers and a handbell choir.  Trinity Cooperative Preschool began with 12 students and grew to a full capacity of 60 children.  The congregation withdrew from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and applied for membership in the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.

In 1982, Trinity celebrated it's 100th anniversary.  In the 1990's, the congregation's programs were expanding, the use of the building by community groups was increasing, and the Sunday school was growing.  The need for more space became evident.  In the fall of 1998 plans were drawn up for the renovation and additions based on numerous priorities.  Nearly every member of Trinity played a part in this expansion project.  Now Trinity Lutheran Church stands ready to "Catch the Vision" - to use this facility to better meet the needs of our members and our community - to be a blessing to each other and to our neighbors in this place.