| Additional Information: | This Contemporary-style church features a front (east)-facing gabled church proper, while a one-story, flat-roofed wing terminating with a porte cochere extends to the north. A hipped-roof wing extends to the south and includes an additional entry with a hipped-roof bell tower. The gabled east elevation of the church proper is sheathed with angled board at its center; while the remainder is constructed of brick. A series of three aluminum crosses accent the central, slightly projecting section; stained glass windows are located within the modest projection space. Both the north and south elevations of the nave consist of four, regularly spaced, replacement stained glass windows, while windows along the north classroom wing are tripartite casement examples. An additional, one-story classroom wing extends from the rear of the church. Based on a historic photo and information, the central angled siding was originally cedar. As well, the south entry was originally topped with a flat roof and was without the additional bell tower structure to the south (a more modest bell tower was originally in place).
Trinity Lutheran Church was built in 1966 and is the third Trinity Church located in the general vicinity in the Town of Wilson. This congregation, along with two other Evangelical Lutheran groups (one each in the City of Sheboygan and the Village of Howards Grove), began in 1853. A log church was built in the Town of Wilson in 1859 and the congregation was originally named St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran. After merging with the Kripplein Christi Church, the name was changed to Holy Trinity Lutheran. In 1899, a new, frame, Gothic Revival-style church was built. In 1961, three acres were purchased across the highway (then highway 141) for the construction of a new house of worship. Ground-breaking for the subject church occurred on 1 August 1965 and the cornerstone was laid on 7 November 1965. The architect was Norman E. Minster of Sheboygan. Dedication services for the church, which included classrooms, a kitchen, social hall and parish offices, were held on 14 August 1966. The cost of the church was approximately $160,000. In 1998, the church underwent a significant redecorating and remodeling that included a new paint scheme and new pews, lighting and flooring. The narthex was converted for use as a family/children area. New furnishings were also purchased for the chancel and the original art glass windows of the nave were replaced with new stained glass examples. Finally the chancel wall, which was originally covered with cedar and included a cross, was remodeled to include a mosaic of Venetian glass and 22K gold leaf that was handcrafted in Pietrasanta, Italy. The renovations, which were funded by a bequest of Marvin & Irma Hessler, were under the direction of E.J. Potente of Kenosha. |
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| Bibliographic References: | “New Trinity Church Underway,” The Sheboygan Press, 5 August 1965, page 4; “Trinity Lutheran, Town of Wilson, To Dedicate New Building Sunday,” The Sheboygan Press, 11 August 1966, page 18; “Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Wilson,” Dedication booklet, 14 August 1966; “Trinity Lutheran, Town of Wilson, Will Mark Its 115th Anniversary,” The Sheboygan Press, 19 September 1968, page 16; “Open House Set At Trinity Lutheran Parsonage,” unidentified newspaper clipping, 19 October 1984; Nancy Pieper, “Holy Stone,” The Sheboygan Press, 21 August 1998. All aforementioned clippings in the file for “Evangelical Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Wilson,” Located at the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, Sheboygan Falls, WI. |
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