ABOUT US
EMPOWERING THE WHOLE CHILD
Trinity offers a safe, caring, Christian environment for students in preschool through eighth grade. Conveniently located on the hill in the heart of beautiful Waconia just blocks from the lake. At Trinity, we know each child is uniquely created and it is our job to help guide them to be all that God intended them to be. We seek to educate the whole student: body, mind, and spirit.
Trinity Lutheran Church and School, established in 1865, has long been an integral part of the Waconia community and a part of its rich history. Today the church and school remain as a beacon on the hill to our neighbors and all visitors to our community.
In 1866 Trinity built a two-story log house in Waconia. The first floor served as a parsonage and the second floor was used as a place of worship and for school purposes. In 1867, a separate wood frame church was built on the south side of Second Street. During these early years, the pastor ministered to the congregation and also taught the school children.
By 1876 the old two-story log cabin had become inadequate for school purposes and the congregation built a new 30’x20’ school house. In addition, the congregation called its first teacher, who served Trinity for 43 years.
As the congregation grew, the erection of a new church and school began in 1890. The church was of a Gothic style and the new school was a brick veneer building with accommodations for 100 students. This church, located at the corners of Elm and Second Streets, served as the home for Trinity Congregation until 1969 when Trinity moved to its present church home at 601 Second Street East.
In 1922 renovation took place in the church and plans for a new school where started. The new school building at 233 Olive Street South was dedicated in 1924. This building is now the current American Legion. By 1926 enrollment increased to the point of necessitating the hiring of a second teacher.
Student enrollment in grades 1-8 continued to climb to over 130 students. In 1949 an addition to the school was added providing a large auditorium, kitchen, library, office and two classrooms. A hot lunch program was added in 1952 and additional faculty were added during the 1950’s. In 1962 a kindergarten program began.
In 1967 Trinity purchased 20 acres to provide for future growth and expansion. By 1969 a new church which included a gym and fellowship hall had been constructed and dedicated at our current location, 601 East Second Street. By 1973 the school moved to the new location with classes arranged in the church building in temporary classrooms. A new school was added to the church building in 1975 with nine classrooms, a library and spacious lunchroom. Enrollment in kindergarten through grade 8 had climbed to over 230 by 1976 and within five years a preschool program was added.
Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s enrollment continued to grow. In 1995, two classrooms were remodeled and an addition of four classrooms was added to the school building with the purchase of additional property. Once again, in 2005, Trinity expanded the school to meet the growing needs of our community. The addition included a full-size gym, music room, several classrooms and technology upgrades.