Trinity Mennonite Church
History of Trinity
Trinity is made up of two congregations who merged in 1966. The two churches were Brudertal and Johannestal. Brudertal was made up of immigrants from South Russia and West Prussia. Johannestal was from Polish Russia near Warsaw. These congregations were located 4 miles apart in the country.
Upon the creation of the Marion Reservoir, Brudertal needed to relocate. Much of the population had moved to town, so it was decided that these two churches would merge and build at the west edge of Hillsboro and name it "Trinity Mennonite Church." The first worship service together was on May 22, 1966.
Over the years more and more people have left the farm to find work in urban settings.
With new church plants starting in town, members were drawn away from Trinity to join these new ventures. Members also transfered to the home churches of their spouses.
Currently the congregation is the spiritual home of 36 people.
History of Trinity
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Church timeline
1966--Trinity officially started on May 15 with a ground breaking in a milo field
1967--Building was complete and first service was held on March 19.
1972--Purchased new Baldwin electric organ
1973--Poured concrete in carport driveway to the street
--Good Friday evening wind storm damaged the church roof
--bought new red hymnals
1974--carpeted the Fellowship Hall
1975--new piano in sanctuary
1980--sold parsonage
--ordained a woman as co-pastor (Dotty Janzen)
1981--Sing and Rejoice hymn books purchased
1982--Discontinued Sunday school "openings"--went directly to their SS classes
1983--Gable roof constructed above kitchen
1984--West entry added
1988--Youth Pastor was hired June 12 (Corey Miller)
1990--Roof re-shingled
1993--Basement walls paneled
1994--Basement carpeted
1995--Handicap parking area created with basketball goal at the edge of slab
1997--Elevator installed
2000--Worship Bibles added to pew racks
2002--cross mounted on outside south wall of church
--remodeled sanctuary
2004--Power point screen and video projection system installed in sanctuary
2010--Mission trip to Thailand
--made entryway handicap accessible
2015--started Summer Food 4 Kids program to feed low income children during the summer
2016--playground built
2020--held services and meetings on Zoom internet so everyone could stay home during the COVID
pandemic
2021--Voices Together hymnbooks purchased
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