100 Years of Trinity: Tulip Festival

This summer Trinity is celebrating 100 years! That’s 100 years of stories, experiences, individuals, and God’s faithfulness in the life and ministry of Trinity. Leading up to our July 14 celebration, check the bulletin or the blog for stories from Trinity’s history. You might just learn something you didn’t already know.

Do you know the history of Trinity’s involvement with Tulip Festival? 

For several years Trinity has taken the festival as an opportunity to extend hospitality to the community and many visitors that come to town. Trinity’s old downtown location on 3rd and Albany was ideal for visitors because it was so close to the various festival activities.

In 1952 Trinity’s women’s organization started hosting meals (at noon and evening) all three days of the festival as a service to the many visitors in town, especially those who arrived by bus. This also served as a fundraiser for mission projects that the women supported. Women were encouraged to serve at a meal and/or donate pies and a salad. In later years this was reduced to just one meal per day. This service continued for over 40 years until the city had more food vendors coming to town and more restrictions were applied to those serving food.

In 1976 Trinity had the idea to host an outdoor service on the Sunday morning following the festival. The hope was to provide a worship atmosphere where campers and carnival workers might feel more comfortable. This service was held in the band shell of Windmill Park and was such a success that the consistory voted it should be an annual event. Several years later, Orange City’s ministerial association became involved and now almost every church in town participates.

Today Trinity hosts a Wednesday noon burger feed for the carnival workers. For several years Trinity has grilled outside the Windmill Park shelter and shared a meal with many workers as they prepare the carnival rides. This downtown location is convenient for the workers and the meal greatly appreciated.

Mission and hospitality have deep roots in Trinity’s DNA, as is evidenced in these past and present service opportunities.