Founded in 1826 the First Trinity Evangelical United Church of Christ has a long and fascinating history. It began as the First German Protestant Church and Congregation of New Orleans. This was the city’s first German-speaking Protestant congregation. For many years it was known as the Clio Street Church. This is because its early buildings were on Clio Street.
The church faced numerous challenges. Three different church buildings were destroyed by fire. One was struck by lightning. The congregation persevered. They rebuilt each time. They moved to a new location on Carondelet Street in 1907. Later in 1951 they constructed a building at South Claiborne and Jefferson Avenues.
Through the years the church’s name evolved. It became First Evangelical Church. Then it joined the Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1936. In 1957 it became part of the United Church of Christ. Finally in 1991 it merged with Trinity Evangelical Church. This created the First Trinity Evangelical United Church of Christ. The church’s records are fragile. They are not available to the public. The Historic New Orleans Collection has microfilms. These microfilms cover 1844 to the late 20th century. There are significant gaps in the records. However the records from 1880 onwards are relatively complete.
The current First Trinity Evangelical United Church of Christ isn’t located here. It’s in Metairie Louisiana. The original Clio Street Church though played a vital role in the city’s history. It served the German-speaking community for many years. It faced numerous hardships but still survived. It stands as a testament to faith and resilience. Its legacy continues even though it has moved to a different location. The First Trinity Evangelical United Church of Christ’s story is a powerful one. It speaks of faith adaptation and the enduring spirit of a community. This building is a reminder of that enduring spirit.