Our Faith
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America confesses the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.
ELCA teaching or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. It does not have an answer for all questions, not even all religious questions. Teaching or theology prepares members to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ.
Scriptures, Creeds and Confessions
The ELCA’s official Confession of Faith identifies the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the Bible); the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds; and the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord as the basis for our teaching. ELCA congregations make the same affirmation in their governing documents, and ELCA pastors promise to preach and teach in accordance with these teaching sources. This Confession of Faith is more than just words in an official document. Every Sunday in worship ELCA congregations hear God’s word from the Scriptures, pray as Jesus taught and come to the Lord’s Table expecting to receive the mercies that the Triune God promises. Throughout the week ELCA members continue to live by faith, serving others freely and generously in all that they do because they trust God’s promise in the Gospel. In small groups and at sick beds, in private devotions and in daily work, this faith saturates all of life.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America confesses the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.
ELCA teaching or theology serves the proclamation and ministry of this faith. It does not have an answer for all questions, not even all religious questions. Teaching or theology prepares members to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ.
Scriptures, Creeds and Confessions
The ELCA’s official Confession of Faith identifies the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the Bible); the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds; and the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord as the basis for our teaching. ELCA congregations make the same affirmation in their governing documents, and ELCA pastors promise to preach and teach in accordance with these teaching sources. This Confession of Faith is more than just words in an official document. Every Sunday in worship ELCA congregations hear God’s word from the Scriptures, pray as Jesus taught and come to the Lord’s Table expecting to receive the mercies that the Triune God promises. Throughout the week ELCA members continue to live by faith, serving others freely and generously in all that they do because they trust God’s promise in the Gospel. In small groups and at sick beds, in private devotions and in daily work, this faith saturates all of life.
Our History
Lutherans in Wythe County have a long and rich history. Our mother church, St. John’s Lutheran, dates back to the 1700s. Read more about St. John’s history here.
Following the Civil War the Rev. Dr. Alexander Phillippi established a school for girls in the house adjacent to our property where Grubb Funeral Home is currently located. Dr. Phillippi quickly saw the need for a Lutheran congregation in town, as the journey to St. John’s was difficult. Dr. Phillippi began holding services in the Court House. In 1875, he founded this congregation that was first known as The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity.
Holy Trinity and St. John's officially merged in 1924. The St. John Board was established to care for the St. John property and cemetery. An annual homecoming worship service and picnic is held on the St. John's property on the 3rd Sunday of August to honor the mother church of Wythe County.
The building has undergone significant renovations over the years, including an education wing with a nursery, classrooms, and office space. The building is now handicap accessible.
Holy Trinity’s has been home to 13 pastors over the years. Each of them has brought unique gifts that helped the congregation grow in their faith. We have also helped train nine interns who have gone on to become ordained pastors and consecrated deacons. Pastor Jonathan is our fourteenth pastor.
Our history is rich and fuels our passion for sharing the gospel. We give thanks to God for all the faithful that have come before us as we seek to bring the radical grace of Jesus into news lives in new ways.
Lutherans in Wythe County have a long and rich history. Our mother church, St. John’s Lutheran, dates back to the 1700s. Read more about St. John’s history here.
Following the Civil War the Rev. Dr. Alexander Phillippi established a school for girls in the house adjacent to our property where Grubb Funeral Home is currently located. Dr. Phillippi quickly saw the need for a Lutheran congregation in town, as the journey to St. John’s was difficult. Dr. Phillippi began holding services in the Court House. In 1875, he founded this congregation that was first known as The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity.
Holy Trinity and St. John's officially merged in 1924. The St. John Board was established to care for the St. John property and cemetery. An annual homecoming worship service and picnic is held on the St. John's property on the 3rd Sunday of August to honor the mother church of Wythe County.
The building has undergone significant renovations over the years, including an education wing with a nursery, classrooms, and office space. The building is now handicap accessible.
Holy Trinity’s has been home to 13 pastors over the years. Each of them has brought unique gifts that helped the congregation grow in their faith. We have also helped train nine interns who have gone on to become ordained pastors and consecrated deacons. Pastor Jonathan is our fourteenth pastor.
Our history is rich and fuels our passion for sharing the gospel. We give thanks to God for all the faithful that have come before us as we seek to bring the radical grace of Jesus into news lives in new ways.