In the fall of 1875 a number of families elected to leave their villages in Russia’s Volga River region. They were all of German descent and had decided to immigrate to the United States because of restrictions placed on their freedoms by the Tzarist government of Alexander II. One group homesteaded land along the Palouse River four miles north of Endicott. They brought with them their German Bibles, prayer books and determination to build a new church. In the summer of 1887 a missionary from the ELC began to serve this group as one of 40 to whom he preached. In the fall of 1887 a second missionary, H. H. Rieke, was sent to the same field. Rev. Rieke made his home in Spokane and preached in Endicott at regular intervals. In 1887 he organized the congregation. At the October 4, 1901 church meeting, the congregation received a volunteer donation of $500 in desire to build a church. The foundation was laid May 25, 1902. Dedication took place August 3 of that year. In December of 1948 it was decided to construct the present church. The cornerstone was laid in September of 1949, with dedication following on March 26, 1950. Dedication of the Sunday School and Office Wing was on April 15, 1959.
From the guide to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Endicott, Washington, Records, 1887-2012, (Pacific Lutheran University)
