An Alma institution is marking 150 years of serving as an anchor for the community, and will pay tribute to its founders this weekend.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Alma is celebrating its sesquicentennial throughout the year with a sermon series highlighting its history of serving the spiritual needs of area residents. Rev. Bernard Ross III recounts how the congregation came together in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Ross says the church went on to open its own school and establish eight daughter congregations across West Central Missouri, fulfilling their continuing mission to share the Gospel.

Sunday’s service at 9:30 a.m. will feature guest speaker Rev. Dr John Mehl of Concordia, who is a descendant of two of Trinity Lutheran’s founding families. Several events are also planned throughout the year to celebrate the church’s 150th anniversary.