On Sunday, January 5, 2025, on the eve of Epiphany a delegation worshipped at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Bayamón, PR.
The church in Bayamón is one of the oldest Protestant churches on the island, planted after Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the U.S. in the treaty following the Spanish-American War in 1898. There is always some posturing with when congregations were founded (when they first met, first baptism, formally organized, first building) but José David Rodríguez in Caribbean Lutherans (2024) lists three worshipping communities in 1905: First English and San Pablo in San Juan and Divino Salvador in Cataño. Santísima Trinidad began worship in 1906, then organized in 1908.
We were greeted warmly by Teresa, our driver, then Pastor Angel David Marrero and members at HT.
Pastor Ángel David MarreroL-R Bishop Trish Schmermund (Synod of Alberta and the Territories Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), yours truly, Pastor Marrero, bishop Dave Nagler (Southern California Synod), and Bishop Nathan Pipho (New England Synod)Our delegation from the Academy of Bishops included Bishop Dave Nagler and his spouse Celia Sepulveda, Bishop Nathan Pipho, Jennifer Place, Bishop Michael Rinehart and his spouse Susan, Bishop Patricia Schmermund and her spouse Ken, and Mary Ann Schwabe. Also pictured was a young adult group visiting from Wisconsin.At center is Astrid, daughter of Magda Lopez and step-daughter of her husband, our Gulf Coast Synod DEM José Luis Escalera Afterwards we met at the school (around 300 primary to high school students) for a festive lunch with traditional Puerto Rican Christmas foods like arroz con gandules, pernil asado (slow-roasted pork shoulder), tembleque (coconut custard), morilla (blood sausage), and of course coquito. L-R: Carlos, brother of DEM José Escalera and his wife Sandra, Josean, José’s nephew and his wife Astrid (Magda’s daughter), and Susan and meThe gallery of former pastors
