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Senior Pastor Justin Krupsky, left, and Principal Bruce Volkert, right, stand near a cornerstone on the Trinity Lutheran Church & School building in Utica.
Photo provided by Michele Grupe
UTICA — Trinity Lutheran School in Utica is inviting the community to celebrate its 140th anniversary with an event at 10 a.m. Aug. 28.
Each school year brings with it the excitement and anticipation of making new friends and learning new things. This coming school year is especially exciting for the students, parents, families, teachers, staff, church congregation members and alumni of Trinity Lutheran School as they celebrate their 140th year.
What started out as a dream and a one-room schoolhouse in 1883 has now grown to a school building with 24 classrooms.
The celebration this Sunday will include an outdoor service at 10 a.m. Community members can bring their own lawn chairs and blankets for seating. After the service, a free lunch will be provided from a variety of food trucks. Water, lemonade, iced tea and ice-cold sweet treats will be provided.
Those in attendance also will be able to enter the current school building to view an 1880s-era classroom and compare it with modern classrooms. People in period costumes will provide a number of historical presentations to share more about the time period and Trinity’s history.
Alumni of Trinity Lutheran School will be able to connect with each other. Historical pictures, facts, timelines, books and newspaper clippings from throughout Trinity’s history will be on display. Children will be able to make crafts and toys, and they will be able to play games that were enjoyed in the 1880s.
There will be a petting zoo. Young and older participants will be able to join in an old-fashioned hymn singalong. Storytime will be available.
This 140th anniversary celebration will end at 1:30 p.m. after a group game that was popular in 1883.
Bruce Volkert, Trinity Lutheran School principal, said the school is still growing after so many years.
“A school has run continuously on our site for 140 years. It has grown to nearly 500 students in preschool through grade 8,” he said in an email.
The school has a program planned for students to commemorate the anniversary.
“During the year, the students will participate in 140 Acts of Kindness to acknowledge our 140 years of blessings. The acts of kindness will be throughout the community. Our 140th Anniversary Celebration will culminate in a gala event next spring,” he said.
“Trinity is proud to have been a part of the Utica community since 1883 at the busy intersection of Hall Road and Van Dyke. We reflect on our rich history as we look to serve the current community and create a vision for the future,” said Volkert.
The school pastor, the Rev. Justin Krupsky, said the school hopes to grow more throughout the community and welcomes all.
“We have brought hope not just through our message of Jesus, but also through meaningful practical service. Thousands of people have been part of our ministries, and currently, we are doing ministry with over 10,000 of our neighbors. We are hopeful for the future and reaching more people with the person and work of Jesus,” said Krupsky.
Visit trinityutica.com/cel ebrate for more information.
