The descendents of the German farmers who brought life to a corner of McLennan County will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the church that sustained them in those pioneer days.

On June 15, a day of festivities at the venerable church will include two worship services — one in English, at 10 a.m., and one on German, at 3 p.m. — as well as a barbecue luncheon at noon and a dessert reception at 4:30 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church, now at 264 County Road 143 southeast of Riesel, was born through the efforts of an itinerant Lutheran clergyman, the Rev. John J. Trinklein, and a small community of the faithful in Friedens Au (Prairie of Peace).

The Gottfried Ebner family played host to weekly religious services until the first chapel was erected on four acres of land and dedicated in May 1883.

Within 10 years, growth in church membership was such that a new sanctuary was needed.

The Rev. F. Wunderlich, who served as the first resident pastor from 1884 to 1904, was also the founder of a Christian day school that was operated by the church for more than 80 years.

The second church home was completed in 1891, only to be destroyed by a tornado the following year. The third church was erected on the sites of the former sanctuary, and dedicated in June 1893.

The fellowship currently worships in a sanctuary completed in 1937 during pastorate of the Rev. E. A. Heckmann, who served from 1926 through 1946 and led during the time of the church’s greatest size and influence.

During World War II, because the United States was at war against Germany, services in the German language ceased from 1942 through 1945. They were brought back for a few years after hostilities ended.

But times were changing, according to Kathy Ballmann, 125th anniversary chairwoman.

The guest speaker at the 10 a.m. service June 15 will be the Rev. Gerald B. Kieschnick of St. Louis, Mo., who was made president of the 2.6 million-member Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in September 2001.

The German service at 3 p.m. will be led by the Rev. Eldor J. Harmann of Woodway. He will be assisted by the Rev. Harold Heckmann, pastor emeritus of Pilgrim Lutheran Church of Houston. Heckmann is the son of the church’s fourth pastor, the Rev. E.A. Heckmann.

For directions or more information, call 896-6043 or 723-4917.

tjryan@wacotrib.com

757-5746