To sketch the history of a church is not always an easy task.  In history we look for facts.  Facts, however, are not easily obtained, particularly when they have not been recorded.  In that event, one is compelled to have recourse of memory.  But, memory is a treacherous thing as nearly everyone knows.  It often leaves one in the lurch entirely, or one frequently imports false information. Much of what has entered into the life of Trinity Evangelical Church has never been recorded.
     In the year 1865, Rev. Louis Von Rague, the well known traveling clergyman and organizer of many of the Evangelical Congregations of Wisconsin, came from Oshkosh to Portage.  Several of our influential men in Portage made his coming possible and Trinity German Evangelical Church was organized.
     The first members who signed the Charter were Carl Schneider, Fred Gerstenkorn, Carl Groth, Carl Pfaff, W. Neu, George Port, August Bettke, Benjamin Schulze, Theo. Venke, Julius Hass, Carl Domstreich, Carl Schenk, Fred Kiser, Fred Thurler, Aug. Fischer, Samuel Graff, Fred Groth, Christian Raimer, Wm. Schleicher, Sebastian Storant, Carl Meier, John Belang, and Carl Haertel.
     The first church services were held in the hall of the Fire Department Building at the corner of Clark and W. Pleasant Street until 1871.  In that year a framed building was erected on the corner of Prospect Avenue and Wisconsin Street, our present location.  Brick siding was added later and many other improvements were made in the course of time.  The assembly was added in 1956.  The present parsonage at 528 West Pleasant Street, was built by the congregation in 1925.  The name of the church was changed to the Trinity United Church of Christ after the merger in 1965 and is officially known by that name today.

* This article was written by Earle "Doc" Austin.  If not for the dedication of members like Doc, a lot of the history at Trinity may never have been recorded.  So this page is dedicated with loving memory to Doc Austin.