Trinity Lutheran Church was founded by Finnish immigrants on February 17, 1889. The first services were held at Suomalainen Evenkelis Lutheran Church under the leadership of Henry Turunen with a charter congregation of 15 members. The congregation eventually affiliated with the Finnish Suomi Synod in the United States.
From its founding until the 1950s, worship services were conducted in Finnish. In that decade, services were conducted in both English and Finnish. In 1960, the first non-Finnish-speaking pastor, Rev. Clair Hoifeldt, was called to serve the congregation.
In 1989, the congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary of continuous service to Fort Bragg and Northern California's Mendocino Coast. A decade later, it was designated as a California Point of Historical Interest (MEN #006).