Early in 1915, The Rev. Phillippi Of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Wytheville, VA recognized the need and possibilities for a Lutheran mission in Kingsport. He asked the Revs. W.G. Cobb and W.S. Paterson to make a survey. At that time most Kingsporters worshiped at the Co-Operative Church which met in the first Kingsport High School located on the site of today's First Presbyterian Church. Pastor Cobb was assigned to preach the fifth Sundays of each month. He did not drive, so a young man from Immanuel, Jess Harr, would bring him on the Sundays that he preached. (One of Jess Harr's granddaughters is still a very active member of Holy Trinity.) On the last Sunday in May 1917, Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized with 13 charter members. The Holston Synod arranged for a seminary student from North Carolina, N.D. Yount, to serve the congregation that summer. In early 1918 the congregation purchased its present location at 800 Broad Street in Kingsport. The interior of a small outbuilding on the property was rebuilt and became the first house of worship for Holy Trinity and continued that purpose until 1929.The third, and longest-serving pastor of Holy Trinity was the Rev. Dr. John W. Shuey. He served from 1927-1951. He presided over the congregation's largest period of growth when the membership increased over tenfold. Early in Dr. Shuey's tenure, the congregation's first permanent church building was constructed. A handsome brick building in simplified Gothic style that could seat over 200 people. It was completed and ready for worship on Pentecost Sunday, 1929. The building was dedicated in 1937. Pastor Shuey was followed by Pastor Don Fauble. During his tenure not only was the education building completed, but the church staff expanded as well. A part-time secretary and full-time organist-choir director were hired. Pastor Fauble was followed by the Rev. Leland Caulder who served from 1959-1965. Pastor Caulder was succeeded by Pastor Lemuel Sparks under whose leadership the congregation again experienced a period of growth and expanding ministries. It was during Pastor Sparks' tenure that the 1929 church building was demolished and the current building was built in 1972.The new church was completed in 1973 at a cost of $330,000. The new worship space included a 27 rank tracker pipe organ custom designed by Zimmer and Sons of Charlotte, NC. The church's high distinctive roofline remains a landmark on the Kingsport skyline. In 2016, the skyline was enhanced even more by the erection of a beautiful cross on the roof's highest point! Pastor Sparks served Holy Trinity and the Kingsport community for over 14 years. When he retired in 1980, he was named Holy Trinity's Pastor Emeritus. He was followed in 1981 by Pastor Stephen Lorimer of North Carolina. Pastor Lorimer was responsible for the first Stephen ministry program in Kingsport. Pastor Lorimar was followed by The Rev. Darrel Golnitz in 1986. Pastor Golnitz was followed by Pastor Gary Soop in 1995.
In 2007 Pastor Steve Counts was called to be Holy Trinity's 10th pastor. The congregation celebrated the 90th anniversary that year with a service of worship much of it would have been done ninety years ago with the liturgy from the old Common Service Book! Holy Trinity has striven to make its own contribution to the great ecumenical chorus of Kingsport that the music of the Gospel in this place might be heard in all its healing beauty!
Pastor Counts served until 2018, and Pastor Scottie Burkhalter was called to serve Holy Trinity in 2019. Within the year, the COVID 19 pandemic swept through Kingsport and the nation. Pastor Scottie and the church leadership quickly acted to keep the congregation safe with starting up Parking Lot worship services with safe, drive-thru contactless Holy Communion. In addition, our website platform was used to post our Sunday worship services and Pastor Scottie started posting Midweek Words of Encouragement videos, which was well received by the congregation and was viewed worldwide.
For over 100 years, Holy Trinity continues to serve our community in both spiritual growth and in our extensive community support. We live our motto - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Helping Transform Lives in Christ.
The History of Our Church |
