The first Lutherans to come to Butler County and to organize, that through the preaching of the Word      their faith might be nourished and their children brought up in the faith of the fathers, were Germans who migrated here from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. So far as is known, the first Lutheran Church to be organized in this county was the St. Peter's Church of St. Clair Township. This   was in 1806.

Nine years later, the Samuel Ziegler's Church of Hanover Township was founded. Madison Township also became a locality for early organization, for in 1817, the Elk Creek or German Church was begun. The Fairview Church of Morgan Township dates back to 1832. A decade more and the Mt. Zion Church of Millville began its work. All of these aforementioned congregations have now (1934) passed out of existence.

The Zion Lutheran Congregation of Hamilton, Ohio, was founded in 1843. This was perhaps the first independent Lutheran Church of the county, all of those preceding having probably been union, Lutheran and Reformed churches. In 1853, the Bethel of Wayne Township (also a union church; now non-existent) was in operation. A year later (1854) and the Bethlehem Church in Middletown was organized.

Our own St. Peter's Congregation is next in line. Its founders came from Germany, the majority of them from Hesse-Darmstadt. As early as 1855 Lutheran services were being conducted by the Lutheran pastor from Rossville (now West Hamilton) in the Hickory Flats German Reformed Church. Lutherans from Trenton and the vicinity attended these services, many of them going on foot.
 

In the year 1857 the Rev. G.H. Trebel, Pastor of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Middletown, began preaching in Hickory Flat. The active interest of the people from Trenton soon impressed Rev. Trebel, whereupon he began to conduct services in the school house at Trenton. In this school house the St. Peter's congregation was organized in the year A. D. 1859 with 15 members. The building in which the organization took place is still standing, remodeled as a dwelling. It is the residence standing next to the church lot, on the south side. Like Zion's of Hamilton, and Bethlehem of Middletown, from its beginning St. Peter's has been a purely Lutheran Church.

Trenton school house, site of the  founding of St. Peter in 1859

There are at this time (1934) in existence, the three congregations just mentioned, of Hamilton, Middletown, and Trenton (all of which are of the American Lutheran Church); the Immanuel Congregation of Hamilton (Synodical Conference); the Trinity Church, Middletown, and the Darrtown Lutheran Congregation (of the United Lutheran Church in America). . .

The school building did not lend itself to becoming a permanent house of worship.  The founders were not long in sensing this.  Already in October, 1859, they bought a piece of land adjoining the school property.  It contained about an acre and cost $125.00.  The trustees of the congregation at that time were:  Henry Berk, Kilian Feik, Michael Baldwin, and Fred Richter.

The church building as it stands today is the structure erected by the founders, after enlargement, many remodelings, and many replacements. So changed indeed is it from the original, that it bears little resemblance to it either inside or out. The church originally was a plain, but substantially built structure without a tower, and measured 35 by 48 feet. The stone for the foundation was quarried by the founders themselves from along Elk Creek. The dedication took place July 7, 1861. The first change in the building was made in 1881, at which time the tower was erected and the building enlarged to its present dimensions, 35 by 61 feet, with a seating capacity of 240 persons.

(photo courtesy of  Trenton Historical Society)

The tower reaches 65 feet above the ground. The cross which tops the tower is six feet tall with a four feet cross member. At the time of the erection of the tower a chime of three bells was placed therein. The largest bell was presented by Mr. Henry Berk, the second, was purchased by the congregation, and the third by the young people. The rededication was held May 15, 1881. Externally the church has remained the same in appearance from this date.

In the year 1898, extensive renovation was made. The interior was frescoed, art-glass windows installed, a new pulpit, altar, and baptismal font supplied. The floor was carpeted, new seats and chandeliers were purchased, and also the new two manual Hinners and Albertsen pipe organ. At this same time a furnace was placed under the church. Prior to this time the church was heated by stoves located at about the middle on either side of the auditorium.

The interior of the church was remodeled in 1908 at which time the former flat ceiling was replaced by an arched one. During this remodeling an acetylene light plant was installed to replace the kerosene lamps which had been in use thus far. This acetylene system was replaced by the electric in 1916. In 1919 the entire roof was rebuilt. At this time, too, the west wall was blown in and required rebuilding.

The ceiling and interior walls were again rebuilt in 1928. At this time the ceiling was changed to its present architectural plan, and airchambers were left in the side walls to prevent damage to the finish by "sweating". . .

Founded as a German congregation, German was spoken in all of the church services until 1909 when German and English were used on alternating Sunday mornings.  In 1920 the language question was settled when the use of German was discontinued.

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society