Trinity Landing celebrates with grand opening and dedication

Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) is excited to announced that Trinity Landing, its new coastal senior living community in Wilmington, held a grand opening celebration on Sunday, Nov. 6. The community welcomed its first residents at the end of June, after four decades of planning.

“I am so thrilled that I can’t stop smiling,” Ann Pressly, Trinity Landing director of sales and marketing, said. “I can’t say enough about the opportunity this has been, and how excited I am that it is becoming a reality. I am over the moon excited about the opening of Trinity Landing!”

The dream of Trinity Landing began 40 years ago with a donation of 30 acres of land on Masonboro Loop Road by Abba Lossen Crumpler and her niece Mae McFarland in memory of Captain Tom and Annette Lossen and their children to Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC). Crumpler was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilmington.

Then LSC President Rev. Robert Q. Beard negotiated the purchase of 20 additional acres to complete the 50-acre Trinity Landing tract. Beard remained an avid supporter of the project and was excited it was finally under construction.  He died in 2021 before the project was complete, but his legacy is secure.

“Pinch me and tell me this isn’t a dream!” said LSC President Ted Goins. “Forty years ago, Mrs. Abba Crumpler and Lutheran Services Carolinas had a dream, and that dream is being realized today! Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time and season for everything; this is the season of Trinity Landing!”

The community sits just south of Wrightsville Beach on the Intracoastal Waterway. Geared to active senior living, amenities include a waterfront pavilion and dock with boat slips and kayak launch; three restaurant venues; a wellness center featuring a saltwater pool and spa; walking paths, biking paths, and boardwalks; a dog park; an art studio; gathering rooms for clubs, meetings, and events; an auditorium; a salon and spa; and a library and media center.

Longtime LSC teammate Bonnie Skobel was named executive director of Trinity Landing and has led the monumental effort to complete the project, set up the systems, hire teammates, and open. John Frye, another longtime LSC teammate who was the owner representative and project manager for LSC’s Trinity Grove in Wilmington, recreated his role to successfully complete Trinity Landing.

The grand opening celebration included self-guided tours, hors d’oeuvres provided by the community’s dietary team, and a shuttle to the pavilion to see the Intercoastal Waterway.

Bishop Tim Smith of the North Carolina Synod officially dedicated and blessed the community with a prayer for its residents, teammates, and future.

“We ask your blessing on those who labored in the design, construction, and planning of this beautiful new community; For those who have given of their time, money, and skills to enable this home to be built; and for those who will work diligently every day caring for and supporting the needs of our residents,” Smith prayed. “Place your special blessing on our residents and staff, that they may know your loving kindness and that others may be inspired by their years of faithfulness and wisdom.”

Also in attendance were Pastor Jonathan Conrad of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church who gave the closing prayer, and Sen. Michael Lee of the North Carolina General Assembly.

Trinity Landing is located at 5450 Trinity Landing Way, Wilmington, NC 28409. For more information about Trinity Landing, call 910-769-9600 or go to TrinityLanding.net.