Trinity Lutheran Church & School

Written by Trinity's church historians:  Raymond Dorn, Arthur Finke, and Nancy Gehrs

In 1860, the Lutherans in this area went to church in Bensenville, IL, approximately seven miles from where our church stands today. They walked, rode a horse, or went by horse and buggy -- but they went faithfully in good and bad weather.

These were families who, for the most part, lived near Meyers Road from Madison Street on the north to 22nd Street on the south.

They realized the importance of Christian education and started a day school in 1864. They built the building with their own hands -- one room with living quarters for the teacher -- on the corner of Roosevelt and Wisconsin. That building no longer exists.

1868 -- on October 13, Trinity officially became a congregation with 12 founding fathers. A church building was erected and the first pastor was called.

Rev. Carl Mertens served from 1869 to 1871. He was called to preach and teach in the school. His salary was $350 per year.

Rev. George Gotsch served from 1872 to 1884. He was provided with a parsonage, five acres of land, and $400 per year.

Rev. Henry Dannenfeldt served for 39 years -- from 1901 to 1940. He was very ill the last year and Rev. Herbert Mueller was called to be his helper. Rev. Dannenfeldt was permitted to remain in the parsonage until he died.

1931 -- until 1931, all services were conducted in the German language. During the twenties, things began to change. There were more English-speaking people in the area and even the Germans were speaking English.

It was decided to conduct one service per month in English and the congregation purchased fifty English hymnals.

1939 -- it was in this year that we started serving communion in English, but only four times per year.

Rev. Herbert Mueller served from 1940 to 1943. He became the pastor upon Rev. Dannenfeldt's death. He wasn't here long, but he accomplished a lot. He translated the church constitution into English, taught school for two years and started the weekly  bulletin.

1943 -- it was this year, during World War II, that Trinity had its 75th anniversary. They wanted to have a celebration but times were hard and supplies were short. So each family was asked to donate two or three chickens and some rationing coupons for coffee, sugar, and the like. They had a fine celebration following the service of thanksgiving for God's blessings over the past 75 years. To commemorate the occasion, a drawing was made of the church building. It was made up of the names of every church member, from the newest baby to the oldest member.

Rev. Alvin Constein served from 1943 to 1949. When he came to Trinity, things were still pretty old-fashioned. During worship services, the men sat on one side of the church and women on the other. Men were served communion first and then the women were served. Rev. Constein changed that so families could sit together and take the Lord's Supper together.

1946 -- the "new" school was built. It was brick with two large classrooms on the upper level and a social hall and kitchen on the lower level. This is till a part of our complex, having been remodeled and the present school added to it.

Rev. David Kramer served from 1949 to 1955. During the time he was here, the area was growing and Roosevelt Road was becoming busier and busier. There were stop signs for Meyers Road, but it was difficult for both cars and pedestrians to cross Roosevelt. The need was there for traffic lights. Apparently the county (or whoever was in charge of the traffic situation) did not think so.

The Trinity ladies took matters into their own hands. They, along with their children -- some in buggies and strollers -- formed a human chain across Roosevelt Road, stopping all the traffic. They made their point and there have been traffic lights at Roosevelt and Meyers Road ever since that episode in 1954.

From 1939 to 1955 there were two services every Sunday. One was in English and the other in German. When Rev. Kramer took a call to another congregation, it was decided that when Trinity called their next pastor, he would not be required to preach in German. This was difficult for the few who still attended German services. In our Trinity history book it says that their wanting to hold to the German was "not an act of stubbornness, but of faith. They didn't want Luther's works adulterated in translation."

Rev. Robert Schulz served from 1955 to 1970. It was during his time here that our present church building was built. On a very cold morning, Jan. 25, 1959, this church was dedicated to the glory of God.

Rev. Elton Heimsoth served from 1971 until his retirement on 1998. In 1976, the present school was built -- attached to the old school. The part where the offices are located was added to that in 1991.

1983 was the 500th birthday of Martin Luther. This was a reason to celebrate and have a good old-fashioned Lutheran potluck dinner with German food and a cake with 500 candles. The food was really good but the cake was kind of "twice-baked"!

July 9, 1989 saw the dedication of the beautiful pipe organ in our church balcony.

Rev. Randy Emmons was called to be the assistant pastor in 1997. When Rev. Heimsoth retired the following year, Rev. Emmons was called to be the senior pastor and was installed in January of 1999. Later that month, his wife, Susan, was killed in an automobile accident, leaving him with four small children. The demands of being a full-time pastor and full-time parent were great and Rev. Emmons, after prayerful consideration, resigned in July, 2000. The year 2000 also marked the 140th anniversary of Trinity Lutheran School which was recognized with a "Pioneer Days" celebration.

Rev. Mark Post was called to be the pastor in March of 2001. He served Trinity until August 2007.

March 1, 2008, Rev. Patrick Boomhower was installed as pastor at Trinity.  Shortly thereafter, he invited Rev. Heimsoth to return and serve Trinity in an emeritus pastoral capacity.

October 2008 saw the recognition of the 140th year of Trinity Lutheran Church and October 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the current church building.

As you can see, -- people and buildins come and go through the years-- but Trinity's foundation remains strong, firmly rooted in God's Word and Sacraments.

We have been blessed.