Early in 1915, The Rev. Philippi of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in 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 this time most Kingsporters worshiped at the Co-Operative Church which met in the first KIngsport High School -which is now the site of the First Presbyterian Church. Since there were relatively few Lutherans in Kingsport, Pastor Cobb was assigned to preach on the 5th Sundays. He did not drive so a young man from Immanuel, Jess Harr, would drive him on the Sundays that he preached. (One of Jess Harr's granddaughters is still a very active member at Holy Trinity today.)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 to becme Holy Trinity's first house of worship and was utilized until 1929.The third and longest serving pastor of Holy Trinity was the Rev. Dr. John W. Shuey. He served form 1927-1951. He presided over the congregations greatest period of growth- the membership increased over tenfold. During his tenure the cogregations first permanent church building was constructed. A handsome brick building in a simplified Gothic style that could seat over 200 people. It was completed and ready for worship on Pentecost Sunday, 1929. That building was on the site of the present church and was dedicated in 1937 when the final building debt was paid. Pastor Shuey was followed by Pastor Don Fauble. During his tenure not only was the educational building completed, but the church staff expanded. Pastor Fauble was followed by the Rev. Leland Caulder who served from 1959-1965. He was then succeeded by Pastor Lemuel C. Sparks under whose leadership the congregation again experienced a period of growth and expanding ministries. During Pastor Sparks' tenure the 1929 church building was demolished to make room for the present (1972) building.The new church was completed in 1973 and included a 27 rank tracker pipe organ custom designed by Zimmer and Sons of Charlotte, NC. The church's high distinctive roofline ramains a landmark on Kingsport's skyline. (IN 2016 the skyline was further enhanced by the erection of a cross at the roofs highest point.) Pastor Sparks served at Holy Trinity for over 14 years and after officially retiring in 1980 was named Holy Trinity Pastor Emeritus. He was followed in 1981 by Pastor Stephen Lorimer of North Carolina who served until 1985. Pastor Lorimer encouraged the congregation to become more involved in local ministry efforts and the first Stephen Ministry program in Kingsport. Pastor Lorimer was followed by the Rev. Darrel Golnitz in 1986, Pastor Golnitz wife Mary became the first person to hold the position of Director of Christian Ed at Holy Trinity. The Golnitzes were followed by Pastor Gary Soop in 1995. Renovations and expansions were made to the church from 1999-2001.
In 2007 Pastor Steve Counts was called to be Holy Trinity's tenth pastor. The congregation celebrated its 90th anniversary that year with a service of worship much as it would have been done ninety years earlier with the liturgy fromt he old Common Service Book!
For almost 100 years ( our centennial is in 2017) Holy Trinity has striven to make its own contrbution to the great ecumenical chorus of Kingsport that the music of the Gospel in this place might be heard in all its healing, saving beauty!
