History of Trinity

According to the Norton Historical Society, Loyal Oak was one of the 7 hemlets in Norton (the other 6 hemlets are Norton Center, Western Star, Sherman, Hametown, Johnson’s Corners, and New Portage). Trinity has been around since 1817, serving Norton and the surrounding areas. Here is a timeline:

1812: “Second War of Independence”

1845: Lutheran and Reformed Society formed at Loyal Oak. Services were held in a church which had been built north of the corner by the Disciples Denomination until 1851.

1847: A Union Congregation (Lutheran and Reformed) worshipped together

1851 May 10th: Cornerstone was laid for a house of worship of our own south of the corner where the present Trinity Lutheran Church now stands.

1851 November: The church was completed and dedicated

1885: the 2 congregations separate and establish own their own churches. The Reformed congregation sold their interest to the Lutherans, who tore down the old church and built the old part of their present brick structure on the same ground.

The stone above the center window on the front of the church reads:

• Ev. Luth. Church, Built 1834, Rebuilt 1885

1892: Barberton established as a city

1905: The Norton High School Commencement Exercises were held in Trinity Church

1918 The Loyal Oak Cemetery Association was formed. The cemetery is behind both churches. The oldest recorded grave marker is 1801 for John Miller.

1928: Purchase of organ from a church in Cambridge, Oh. e organ has 14 ranks, 2 manuals, and is a tracker action instrument. An addition to the church was constructed to house it.

1958 Ground was broken for the new educational unit. A new entrance was built to the side replacing the one originally on the front

1961: Norton Township became a Village.

1969: Norton became a City

More information about the city of Norton and Trinity Lutheran can be found in Lisa Ann Merrick’s book Norton (Arcadia Publishing, Jul 20, 2015).

Link to Lisa Merrick’s book on Google Ebook

Download our booklet on our 125 years of history from 1817-1982