Trinity Lutheran Church
Chestertown, Maryland
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A Brief History of Trinity Lutheran Church
When Rosa Kiepling arrived in New York on April 4, 1906, she was a 19-year-old emigre from Hungary with 93 cents in her pocket. Little could she have known that she and her husband, Alex Herzberg, would end up in Chestertown and that she would become the heart of Trinity Lutheran Church.
In 1928, the first Lutherans began meeting in the Herzberg home directly next to their general store at High Street and College Avenue. The Herzbergs provided the land for the first church on Lynchburg Avenue. It was finished and dedicated in 1932; a block structure built by the first congregants. It was 20’ by 30’ and was inadequate from the start. Building it, however, was no small accomplishment considering the Depression that was underway. It still stands as a private residence, as does the Herzberg store/home.
Although remodeling and expansion were often discussed, no action was taken for twenty years. Finally, a 125’ by 211’ lot was purchased in College Heights, adjacent to Washington College. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on February 28, 1954, but before the new church was ready, the old one was severely damaged in the July 16 explosion at the Kent Manufacturing Plant. In what was called “The Great Blast” a complex that served as a government munitions contractor and manufacturer of pyrotechnics was decimated and eleven lives were lost. The company never reopened. Trinity’s people adapted and moved worship services to the Fire Hall of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company.
The new building was dedicated on October 10, 1954. Unlike the original, this one had running water and restrooms. This was followed by the addition of a church hall in 1964. The mortgage on the building was burned in a ceremony twenty
years later, and in June, 1986, renovation work began. On May 3, 1987, the building was rededicated. Throughout its life, there have been additions and modifications to Trinity: chandeliers, furniture, equipment, updated systems. Again, a lot of work has been done by parishioners. Our stained glass windows, given in loving memory of members, depict the life of Christ. This is fitting, as Trinity is a Gospel-centered church.
Throughout their lives, the Herzbergs served Trinity as it grew. Alex served on Council, but sadly passed away shortly after the end of World War II. Rosa worked tirelessly; teaching Sunday School, assuring that the church was always clean, that members of church organizations had transportation and more. Wednesday afternoons she dedicated to, “missioneering,” her term for visiting the sick, making contacts in the community, and calling on new members. Rosa Herzberg died peacefully on September 19, 1973.
In her article, A Light to Lighten Chestertown, Monica Ernst wrote about “Mom” Herzberg, then over sixty years old. “This friendly little woman…has been blessed with the fearlessness and the ability to admonish her fellow Christians and to testify boldly before the unchurched. … She truly carries out the Lord’s command to feed the hungry and clothe the needy.” Most appropriately, Mom sponsored thirty eight children in the church and was instrumental in having at least that many baptized.
Inspired by our past, we look forward to the future.