A History of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

As we at Holy Trinity celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, here is a list of many Trinity congregants who were active participants in the American Revolution in Pennsylvania and beyond.   Trinity’s archivist, Tanya Kevorkian compiled the information and we are happy to share.   We also recognize that these individuals engaged in slaveholding and other activities that are troubling.  It is our history, and we learn from it.   To learn more, click here:

Two years before the birth of George Washington and 46 years before the Declaration of Independence, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was a worshiping congregation. Formally organized in 1730 with its first baptism recorded on May 4th of that year, Holy Trinity Church is the oldest church in Lancaster and one of the oldest in Pennsylvania.

View our Historic Trinity video here:

And, in July of 2024, The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution(NSSAR) held their annual convention in Lancaster PA and Holy Trinity hosted the Memorial Service.   View that video here:

Interested in the history of the flags on display in our Sanctuary?  Click here:

The congregation worshiped in a small stone church on Duke and Cumberland streets for 30 years. Construction of the present building began in 1761. In 1766, the new church was dedicated with Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America, officiating.

During the Revolutionary War, Civil War, two World Wars, the Cold War people came here to worship.  To find hope and peace during the conflict and fear.  To this day, Holy Trinity Lutheran is a living church – recognizing God’s goodness in yesteryear, the hearty expectation of God’s blessings in the present, and the confidence in God’s strength for the future.