The cache coordinates will take you to Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. The building just East of it was Trinity Lutheran Church until December of 2019. There is a brief history of the church below. Most people will need a TOTT in order to reach the cache. This is a letterbox so it does contain a stamp which should NOT be removed. There is a prize for FTF. Please bring something of equal value to trade.
I was baptized and confirmed here along with my brother and sister and many of my ancestors. Most of my family and extended family are buried right here in this cemetery. In fact, I grew up on the family farm just diagonal across the section Northeast of here. The land has been in our family for over 100 years and my dad still operates the dairy. As an added bonus to the cache see if you can find the headstone with a Holstein cow on it! (hint: it's along the southern fence).
History of Trinity Lutheran Church:
The Cherokee Strip was opened in 1893 to settlers. Homesteaders from around the country poured into Oklahoma Territory's grasslands looking to make a new life for themselves. Many German Lutherans, who lived Northwest of Enid in the community of Glenella, began to hold church services in the Vernon School House. It wasn't long (April 1, 1901) before a meeting was conducted for the purpose of organizing themselves as a congregation. A single acre of land was donated and a church was built. On January 20, 1902, the new church was dedicated.
In 1923, Trinity became a member of the Missouri Synod. October, 1908 was the date that Trinity had its first resident pastor. The early days saw Trinity having a day school with the pastor serving as a teacher also. Gradually the enrollment at the day school dwindled until it was finally terminated.
Trinity was a small, rural church were all members knew one another by name. Like many small churches, many of the members were related.
The original church structure still stands today, but additions have been added to increase capacity: the sanctuary was enlarged, Sunday School classroms added, and a Parish Hall was attached.
Trinity Lutheran Church closed as a church and congregation in December of 2019. Attendance was dwindling and the members realized that the original mission of ministering to the small community had been fulfilled as the community had migrated elsewhere.