Meet Our Leadership Team
Church Leaders
Senior Pastor Eric Schwirian
Allen Westby, S.A.M.
Music Directors
Jeff Peter Contemporary Music and Worship Leader
Steve Simonson Contemporary Music and Worship Leader
Vicki Johnson Choir Director
Office Team
Lori Booth Office Manager
Marie Schwirian Virtual Ministry Assistant
Olesia Zlochevska Custodian
About Our Church - Who We Are
Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota is a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is a medium sized congregation with about 730 members located in a small town with a population of 2200. Trinity offers a full range of programs for all ages. Trinity has a particularly strong children and youth ministry and education program. Trinity is intentional in reaching out to the entire community to help others meet their physical and spiritual needs. Trinity takes seriously the commandment to “love our neighbor as ourselves.”
Church History
Trinity Lutheran Church originated from two separate congregations in the area: Ringsaker Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized by 15 families on September 27, 1875, and Pelican Valley Lutheran Church was formed with only five families in1880. Both congregations eventually became members of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. On August 18, 1948 these two churches merged and were incorporated as Trinity Lutheran Church. Both churches closed and held services as one in the high school auditorium from 1950-1954. September 26, 1954 was the dedication to the church now known as Trinity Lutheran Church.
About the ELCA
“On the day of Pentecost, people heard the good news in their own language.”- Acts 2:1-21
Regardless of age, race, or status on life, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America welcome you to join this community of faith. If you’re unfamiliar with our church, some of what you learn my surprise you.
The ELCA is an engaged, active body of people who put faith in God into action — in millions of ways, all over the world. Join us!
This page will give you a brief overview of this church, some quick facts, and guide you around the site. We also invite you to learn What We Believe, found on the main ELCA.org site.