Grace Lutheran Church 208 1st Street S.W. P.O. Box 522 Tripoli, Iowa 50676 (319) 882-3579 E-mail: graceelca@butler-bremer.com

The History of Grace Lutheran Church

This “History of Grace Lutheran Church” was taken in part from “Gospel in the Heartland - The Story of Tripoli Christians” by Pastor Roger McKinstry. 

The history of Grace Lutheran Church dates back to the turn of the century. Before we had our own place of worship, in fact, before we even had our own pastor, residents of Tripoli were worshipping in the Lutheran faith. 

We trace our church’s beginnings back to the endeavors of Pastor Bredow of Maxfield and Pastor Dilges of Siegel, who conducted Lutheran services in private homes in Tripoli, in the former school building, and even in the former Congregational church. 

But in 1901, assisted by the Mission Committee of the Iowa Synod, a congregation was organized and the first pastor, Rev. Karsten, was called and installed. The congregation vowed to build its own place of worship and did build a white frame church. The cornerstone was laid on August 18, 1901, but in October of that year, nearly completed, the church burned to the ground. The new building was completed and the first services held in it on May 22, 1902. 

Its history over the next decades was similar to many of its neighboring congregations: increase in membership, a pipe organ installed, the bell acquired, and the first worship service in English held as the war with Germany loomed overseas. 

In 1922, the congregation voted to build a new place of worship and during the building process worshipped in the Opera House. It became the basic brick building that exists today. 

In 1925, a parochial school with grades 6 through 9 was established. This existed until 1931 when, with the onset of the Depression, finances caused it to close. 

It was in 1951 that members voted to change the name of the congregation from St. John to Grace, in order to distinguish it from the Crane Creek Congregation. Over the years, as Grace Lutheran Church, additions were made, the parsonage moved to its present position, and an elevator was installed. 

As life in the congregation progressed during the post W. W. II years, Grace extended helping hands to get the gospel out beyond its own borders. We adopted and sponsored Holy Trinity church in Vallejo, California, partially sponsored a missionary to Japan and served as a training ground for future pastors with our church serving as a site for interns. 

It was during its internship years, 1988-1992, that St. John’s Crane Creek approached Grace with the possibility of a yoked parish; the feasibility for St. John to have its own pastor was considered unworkable. 

At first Grace and St. John shared the ministry of both the pastor and intern. But, soon it was seen that two full-time pastors serving both congregations became desirable. In 1992 the co-pastor arrangement came into effect. 

As Grace Lutheran Church finds itself on the foothold of its second century of ministry in Tripoli, and as the new millennium dawns, the challenges of providing for the spiritual needs of its members continues to be foremost. 

In conclusion, we see that the Christian community in Tripoli has struggled with diversity, dissension, and with what it means to be dedicated to the work of Christ in a specific time and a specific place. But, that has always been the struggle of the church throughout its history. The gospel, faith, and life is not in the past, nor the future, but it is the present reality of life lived in the presence of God and in the footsteps of Jesus.