History & Beliefs

1875: The new resident Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Rev. Ludwig von Schenk, opened the first regular Christian Day School as part of Trinity. School was held in the small church building, and students were accommodated by affixing hinged boards to the back of the pews to serve as “desks” during the week.

1882: Trinity rented a house for $18 a month to serve as the school, and classes were held four days a week.

1884: The school outgrew the house, and a new 18’ x 24’ school was built at a cost of $400. This school was well-known in Rochester as the “Little German School.” 

1892: The first teacher (Mr. Gustave Frank) was called, and enrollment increased from 45 students to over 100.

1894: A new church was dedicated, and the “old” church was converted into a school building.

1913: A new brick school was built that accommodated four classrooms. This building served Trinity Lutheran School until the new Rochester Central Lutheran School building was erected on 9th St. NW.

1958: Prior to the formation of the RCLS Association, Trinity purchased property on 9th Ave. in northwest Rochester with the intention of building a new school facility.

1959: Representatives of Trinity, Grace, and Redeemer Lutheran Churches signed an agreement forming the Rochester Central Lutheran School Association. Trinity Lutheran Church donated the 15-acre property to the new association as a building site. 

1961: Construction on the new school was begun on the property.

1963: Classes began in the new facility in September, and formal dedication was held in 1964.

1980 - 2021: Several additions and renovation projects since the initial building was completed have resulted in the splendid school facility that now serves nearly 400 Preschool-Grade 8 students.

We believe that because of our sin we deserve eternal death.
 "The wages of sin is death.”
 -Romans 6:23