our history

Trinity was formed in April of 1942 when the Fairview Mission Church voted to officially change their name to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church under the leadership of Pastor Lawrence Schreiber. The church originally met across Arthur in the Fairview Public School building (now the West Allis Recreation building). In December 1942, Rev. Elmer Rimpler was installed as the first full-time pastor at Trinity. In May 1944, Rev. F.H. Gehrke became pastor. By this time, Trinity had out-grown the Fairview building and in 1945, plans were made for a new, permanent church building. The cornerstone for the church was laid on September 28, 1947. In 1955 the church council voted to take on an expansion of the 1948 building. By 1957, the church had raised enough in internal pledges that a loan was secured and the expansion project was began. Construction began in the spring of 1957.  In 1969 the church once again looked into an addition to the church. On September 7, 1970, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new education unit for the church. The building project was complete and dedicated on September 12, 1971. In 1978 a new organ was installed into Trinity to enhance the worship life of the congregation. Pastor Gehrke celebrated his 40th year at Trinity on October 2, 1983, officially retiring on June 9, 1991 after 47 years of faithful service. Rev. Thomas Krueger was installed as pastor on October 13, 1991. In October of 1992, Trinity celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The Trinity Lutheran School had grown to encompass pre-school through first grade. Pastor Krueger retired after 26 years of ministry at Trinity on July 17, 2017. Rev. Brandon Koble was ordained and installed as Trinity’s fifth pastor on August 27, 2017. In December of 2021, Trinity Lutheran Church and Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church formed a dual-point parish, working together under the leadership of one pastor to serve the community of West Allis and Milwaukee. In June of 2022, Rev. Silas Hasselbrook was ordained and installed for service to these congregations.