The people of the Viona, Iowa area located in Vernon township northeast of the present town of Hardy decided in 1865 that they needed and wanted a Church fellowship.  They organized a Methodist Congregation, held their meetings in a log school house, and were served by Rev. John Robbins, who rode horseback from Goldfield, Iowa.  The Charter and very early members of this Congregation were: J. E. Flaherty and wife, J. H. Foley and wife, E. F. Hartwell and wife, Mrs. Mary Wood Stage, Mrs. Maria Olden, Mrs. Mary Butler, Wesley Spooner, Ebenezer McLaury and wife, Eliza Spooner, and Mrs. Baker.

Trinity Lutheran Church of Hardy

The town of Hardy was laid out in late 1880 and early 1881, after the completion of the railroad.  The young congregation decided in 1882 to construct a Church in the new town.  They built a handsome frame edifice 26 x 44 feet in size.  In 1912 the growing congregation decided they needed a larger meeting place.  An addition was added to the south of the original building.  This addition was put on in such a way that their church was in the form of a cross.  The original building became the Cross Arms, and the new addition is the upright of the Cross.  Beautiful stained glass windows were installed at this time. 

In 1883, the first Lutheran home was built in this community.  Others soon followed and a school house was built.  Rev. H. Mons Hendrickson from near Eagle Grove organized in Trinity congregation June 29, 1885.  He made occasional visits and served as pastor during the years 1885 to 1888.  His services were held in the school house.

After a few years the school house was moved three quarters of a mile south but was still a meeting place.  Sometimes services were held in the homes.  In 1888 Rev. N. P. Pederson, then pastor of the Hauge Synod Lutheran church near Eagle Grove, because pastor and served for one year.

In 1890 Trinity congregation and Ullensvang congregation of Thor called Rev. O. M. C. Farseth, who served both congregations.  For a time there was no regular minister, but Trinity was served occasionally by Rev. H. C. Holm of Eagle Grove, who later became Iowa district president.

In 1891 Trinity church was built.  Land for the cemetery and churchyard was donated by the Amund Michaelson and Martin Weltha families.  Many improvements were made through the years.  In 1964 a new addition was built which provided a new church entry, ample cloakroom space and a modern kitchen, plus facilities for the Sunday School.

Trinity Lutheran Church and Cemetery, Hardy