Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 60-year anniversary with a special service followed by some games and cookout on its property in Walden on Sept. 8.

Trinity traces its roots to the summer of 1958 when founding pastor Paul Behling began canvassing the Walden area to determine if there would be interest in the yet-to-be-founded church.

The following spring, Behling performed his first Walden service, on Easter Sunday.

“I remember the small organ we had on a hot stifling second floor,” Charter member Ruth McMahon said. “I remember the wonderful potluck suppers, my 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. nursey confirmation Sunday shifts and just the wonderful fellowship we had as we grew.”

“My husband Ed and I were dating in 1959 and he attended the first service,” Bobbie Richert, another charter member said. “Ed and I attended together the groundbreaking of our current building.” “It was so nice to see the excitement and how everyone worked together.”

The church’s current pastor, Ray Cummings has served two terms leading the church, his first and longest stint began in January of 1970 and ending with his acceptance of an associate pastorate in 2008 to make room for Pastor Clark who led the church until 2016 at which point Cummings resumed the head role which he still holds.

“A number of people have grown up in this church,” Pastor Cummings said. “One such person is Andrew Burke (present by video message) who now works with many poor people in PA.”

I learned many years ago how important it is to be thankful,” Cummings said. “Thank you to all the families that have helped make this all happen.”

Providing an example of Cummings’ point that many have grown up in the church, Richert, added “I would not be who I am today if not for my 60-years here at Trinity.”

Two other prominent long-time members who moved out of the area in 2009 were Bruce and Nancy Carlson who while unable to attend in person submitted a detailed video message commemorating the special anniversary.

“The wonderful memories I have of the classes we taught are very much still with me,” Bruce said. “Congrats to Trinity for being a beacon of the Hudson Valley.”

“I loved working with the children’s choir,” Nancy said. “We were blessed to do so much at Trinity and it was just a joy for us to be there.”

The service began with praise & worship followed by offerings and announcements, a brief history of the church, a slide-show presentation, testimony from those quoted above, before finishing with closing remarks by Pastor Cummings, prayer and a benediction.

Trinity is located on Route 208 in Walden and offers Sunday Services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. More information on its other offerings can be found on its website: tlcinwalden.com.