This timeline recounts Holy Trinity’s History as printed in various anniversary booklets including the 100th, 75th, 50th, & 25th.

1884, west Bethlehem became one of three boroughs in the present-day city. West Bethlehem borough lacked a Lutheran congregation. In possibly the first general election in Pennsylvania, George A. Young was defeated by M.C. Fetters for the position of borough burgess. Fetters resigned shortly after, and Young was then elected for a four-year term, 1888-1891. Young became Holy Trinity's first Sunday School superindendent in 1887.

1886, interested Lutherans used the facilities of the West Side Chapel (later West Side Moravian Church) and the Fairview Elementary School as meeting places to organize a congregation.

July 17, 1887, the first Sunday School was organized with 42 students, and George A. Young as superintendent.

July 29, 1887, Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Bethlehem was organized in the Fairview Elementary School with 43 charter members. The school building was located at Fourth Avenue and Market Street.

September 4, 1887, the Rev. Dr. William D. C. Keiter was installed as first pastor of the congregation. In a dual-parish calling, he split his time between Holy Trinity and St. Thomas Church, Altonah (Macada road), where he conducted one morning service a month.

September 10, 1887, a lot on Third Avenue was purchased.

October 25, 1887, the congregation was received into organic connection with the Ministerium of Pennsylvania (forerunner of the Synod).
Sunday, October 30, 1887, the Laying of the Corner Stone occurred. The stone was presented by Monroe B. Harwick, proprietor of L.V. Marble and Granite Co., and a decaon at the time.

1887, the Ladies Aid Society was established. It engaged in a variety of charitable undertakings, especially in helping the poor of the congregation and the orphan homes of Germantown and Topton. It later reorganized into the Women's Missionary Society.

March 25, 1888, Palm Sunday, the first services were conducted in a newly completed church edifice. The first child was baptized—Rollin Earl Goth—infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Goth.

March 30, 1888, Good Friday, rite of confirmation conferred upon first confirmation class with 15 members.


April 8, 1888, formal consecration service to dedicate the church building. A one-story brick structure of Gothic style with a high roof and shingled gables, 53 by 38 feet, with a wing in the rear, 33 by 20 feet, the interior finished in yellow pine wood work, all hard wood finish, with stained glass windows of beautiful pattern and tint, the approximate cost of the building amounting to $7,000.

September 15, 1888, Young People's Guild established. It was the forerunner to Luther League, which was itself renamed Youth Ministry in 1968.