History of the Holy Trinity Site ...continued from last page

Some of the milestones in the parish history:           

1892         John Gratza, the first pastor of the parish arrives

1905      The parish numbers 110 families

1906-1907             An enlarged church is built.

1936                         A fire nearly destroys the rectory

1938 &1945             Renovations are made to the church

1966             A decision is made to build a new church. Because the parish is small and the building is costly, no one bank will give a loan; a loan is taken out from two banks

1969             The new church is dedicated on September 12. The mortgage is burned 8 years later.

1977              Communion is allowed to be taken in the hand, communion distributors are installed.

1985            The Parish Council votes to build a new rectory

Under the leadership of Fr. Ralph Merkatoris, the parish grows from 575 parishioners in 1975 to 1861 parishioners in 1993.

1999             A study committee of the diocese recommends that Holy Trinity and Holy Martyrs of Gorcum be linked and eventually merged.

2002             Fr. Merk retires. The parish is left without a permanent pastor for a year. Fr. Finian serves in the interim.

2003            Fr. Ronald Belitz agrees to take on the role of pastor to move the parish a new into era.

2004             Holy Trinity officially merges with Holy Martyrs and becomes Prince of Peace Parish.

A timeline can give dates and milestones but it doesn’t reflect is the joys and the struggles of the people of the parish in its more than 120 year-existence. It does not reflect the sacramental celebrations or the community events like the annual picnics, card parties, and coffee and rolls Sundays. It also does not reflect the pain that change can bring. But what it does reflect is a love of God that binds its people together

This is an abbreviated parish history. A more detailed account is available by contacting the parish office.