AboutUs - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

A short history of our church in Stafford Springs,CT

Like most of our sister congregations in Connecticut, Holy Trinity began as a harbor for immigrant Lutherans and Reformed. Eastern Europeans looked for the trades which they practiced in the old country or for any work they could find in the factory system in Connecticut. Stafford Springs filled that bill for many families and they settled in the valley.The Tolland County Press, May 8,1902 reported a census of 17 Lutherans and 45 Bohemians in the Stafford/ willington area.
Occasional worship services were conducted in 1907in a vacant Methodist Church on Moose Meadow Road, Willington, CT . The congreggation was first Organized in 1914 by Pastor Ludwig Karlowski who led worship on weekdays until the congregation called Rev. John Murcek in 1917. On February 13,1922 the congregation purchased the former German Social Club and moved from Willington to its present location on 104 West Main Street in Stafford Springs. In 1929 the church was chartered as "Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Holy Trinity Church-Augsburg Confession".

An ethnic congregation of the Slovak tradition, the congregation added an English service during the pastorate of John Nosco from 1951 to 1953. The congregation joined the Slovak Zion Synod of the United Lutheran Church in 1955. In 1966 the congregation adopted a model constitution of the Lutheran Church in America and changed its name to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

In 1972 the church was expanded to add Sunday school classrooms, a parish hall, larger kitchen and expanded narthex. Under the leadership of Pastor Robert McGurn ( 1980-1988) a second renovation helped to expand the parish hall and the sanctuary to its present day look.

HISTORICAL SKETCH 1914 to present

<> Occasional worship services were conducted around 1907 to 1914, led by supply pastors. A vacant Methodist Church on Moose Meadow Road, Willington, CT was used.

.Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was first organized on November 15, 1914, under the leadership of Pastor Ludwig J. Karlowski, Andrew Gajdos, Michael Kmetz,Sr. and John Michalec, Sr. were elected the first officers. Worship was held only on week days until the arrival of the first full time pastor, Pastor John Murcek in November 1917
The organizational meetings and the first services of worship took place at the vacant Methodist Church on Moose Meadow Road in Willington.
Before November 1917, Pastor Karlowski would come to conduct services on national holidays and on church festivals that fell on a weekday. Regular Sunday services did not begin until the arrival of the first full-time pastor( 1917), Pastor John Murcek, who served the congregation until August 1921.

Pastor George Pankuch arrived in November 1921. He saw that it would be beneficial for the congregation to have a more central place of meeting. A location in Stafford Springs would enable the congregation to grow and prosper. Therefore, the present structure was purchased from a German social club in 1922 and remodeled as a church that same year. The cornerstone was laid and the service of dedication was held on August 6, 1922. Pastor Pankuch continued to serve the congregation until June 1926.

Pastor John J. Mital then came to Stafford Springs and served until November 1929. During his pastorate, the Ladies' Altar Guild was organized under the leadership of Mrs. Mital. In July 1929, the congregation obtained an official charter in the following name: Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Holy Trinity Church - Augsburg Confession.

Pastor John Bellan then served the congregation from May 1930, until December 1937. A parsonage was purchased on Olympic Avenue, a Sunday school was begun, and a Young People's Club organized. It was also during this time that the English language was first used in services.

Following an interim during which Pastor Billy of Northampton, Pennsylvania, served here, Pastor Andrew Balaska arrived in May 1939. The mortgage on the parsonage was paid in 1944 and in August 1946, the present organ was purchased and dedicated. Pastor Balaska remained in Stafford Springs until June 1950.

During the relatively short ministry of Pastor John Nosco, who served from February 1951, until June 1953, a choir was organized. Most significantly, weekly English services were begun. Pastor Albert Ursin of Torrington, Connecticut, served as administrator until the arrival of the next pastor.

Pastor John E. Drzik accepted the call and arrived in May 1955. During his pastorate the congregation began to grow as the English ministry gained in emphasis, while the Slovak element was also maintained. The congregation, which had been independent since its organization, officially joined the Slovak Zion Synod of the United Lutheran Church (a body which has since merged with others to become the Lutheran Church in America). The Luther League and Men's Club were organized during this time. In 1956, the congregation had bought land on Green Street, across from the church yard. In 1960 a fine parsonage was erected there. Following Pastor Drzik�s resignation in January 1964, Pastor Ursin again served as administrator.

In June 1966, Pastor Kenneth Michnay arrived in Stafford Springs. The model constitution for congregations of the Lutheran Church in America was adopted and the official name changed to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Toward the end of Pastor Drzik's ministry here, a building fund had been established for an educational unit. A committee was appointed to consider how to proceed with the expansion of our facilities. The committee suggested an addition to the old structure, providing a parish hall, and renovation of the former basement, providing classrooms and a kitchen. The narthex was also expanded. Ground was broken for the project on May 28, 1972, with dedication the following year. To continue building the spiritual life of the congregation, Pastor Michnay moved toward a more frequent celebration of the Sacrament of the Altar. Pastor Michnay served Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Stafford Springs until March of 1976.

Pastor Goldstein accepted the call from Holy Trinity that same year and served Holy Trinity until 1980. Pastor Goldstein kept the Slovak tradition going by learning the Slovak liturgy. This was greatly appreciated by many of the older members.

In the spring of 1980 Pastor Robert McGurn answered the call to be pastor of Holy Trinity. On June 1,1980 Pastor McGurn was ordained and installed as Pastor of Holy Trinity. His wife Linda and children Robb, Megan and Katie were here to share his joy in this special event. Pastor McGurn initiated the completion of the worship area in 1983, transforming the area to a quiet elegance and intimacy, which invites prayer and worship. Pastor McGurn led us in prayer and worship until 1988. In 1988 he became pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church of Simsbury.

Pastor Allen German received our call in 1988 and led us in pray and worship until 1994. Pastor German and his family settled into Stafford Springs and Holy Trinity quickly and enjoyed working with the Harvest Sales, anniversaries and other special services. Pastor German kept a close relationship with Slovakia and preached a sermon in his family�s parish in Veranow, Slovakia. Needless to say, many members were pleased to have a Slovak speaking pastor even though English was used in the liturgy. Pastor German resigned in 1994 due to health problems. In 1998 with significantly improved health he was able to serve as pastor of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Danbury, CT.

In the winter of 1996 Pastor Linda Kraft accepted our call and began the journey from California to Stafford Springs. Arriving on February 8 and installed as pastor three days later. It was indeed a busy time for Pastor Kraft. Pastor Kraft quickly began her work her, enjoying meaningful worship, soup suppers, moments of laughter, tight budgets and some tears but always ready to do the task God called her to do. In the spring of 2002 Pastor Kraft was called to be Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Trumbull, CT.

July 1 of 2003 Pastor David Dalzell accepted our call and is now our present pastor. We welcome Pastor Dave and his wife Sarah to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Stafford Springs, CT. With Pastor Dave's hard work we have continued to grow our congregation and enjoy spritual guidance and meaning full worship.

The years have certainly been marked by change. We began with a group of people who worked and sacrificed to have a place where they could hear and rejoice in the Gospel in their mother tongue. Their example of faithfulness is one which we pray to follow. The call of the Gospel lead them to open their embrace to more and more people, not only those of the Slovak heritage, but to all people whom God in Christ has called to himself. To be true heirs to their faithfulness we must also give our devotion to the true treasure of the Church, the Cheerful News of God's work in Christ to embrace all people with his love.