During October, 2002, Trinity celebrated her 75th anniversary. This history of Trinity was compiled for this event.
HISTORY OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Trinity’s second pastor, George C. Albers, was called in 1940 after Pastor Pritz resigned because of hearing problems. A parsonage was built in 1941, which still serves as a home for our pastor and family today. Also during this period, the Trinity congregation became a mother-congregation through its missionary efforts beginning in 1944 in the Brush College area of east Decatur. At first, children were brought from that area to Trinity for Sunday school by bus. In 1945, arrangements were made for the use of Brush College School No. 1 for Vacation Bible School, and in 1946, thirty-five Sunday school pupils were transferred from Trinity to the Brush College Mission. When Our Redeemer Congregation was organized in 1950, many of its charter members were released from Trinity. These were years of progress for Trinity, growth in membership, retirement of debt, planning for a building, and the establishment of a building fund. Pastor Albers served Trinity until 1949, when he accepted the call to full-time District work.
Succeeding Pastor Albers, Pastor Kenneth F. Frankenstein was called by Trinity in January, 1950. In 1951, some $27,000 had been accumulated in the building fund for a new church. However, the Building Advisory Committee advised the postponement of church construction in favor of an extensive renovation program to be carried out in time for the twenty-fifth anniversary in 1952. The program was launched with the slogan “Begun in ’5l – thru in ’52.” Much of the work was done by volunteers, as there were a number of skilled workers in the congregation. Even so, demands on the building industry at that time were very high and cost for the renovations at Trinity escalated to $25,000. The sum did not include the cost of the new organ, new pews, and other furnishings, which totaled an additional $15,000. This sum came from the church building fund, since these appointments could be used in the new church when it was built.
The congregation, however, was not lulled by the fine remodeling project, realizing that plans had to be kept in mind for building a new church which would be adequate for the increasing membership, and provide room for more social activities.
In 1953, the congregation negotiated for the first of the three properties needed to extend the site to Twentieth Street. The second parcel was acquired in 1954. It included a building that was put into service as “The Sunday Schoolhouse,” to provide much needed space for the nursery-primary departments.
In 1955, Trinity established a branch Sunday school and preaching mission east of Lake Decatur in a newly developing area—the nucleus for the later formation of the Concordia congregation. A school bus transported the children from that area to Trinity for religious instruction and our church began to feel the strain on its facilities. Trinity, however, accepted the challenge of becoming the mother-church for a new mission congregation. The purchase of a six and one-half acre site, and the construction, of Concordia were undertaken with a minimum of help from the District. Although the project postponed church building plans at Trinity, it led to some long-range planning which culminated in Concordia becoming independent in 1964. Trinity and its daughter congregation Concordia, functioned as a dual parish from 1956 until 1963, served by Trinity’s Pastor Frankenstein and a vicar. Later, an assistant Pastor, Louis I. Koke, served both congregations from 1960 to 1964. During this period, the combined efforts of Trinity and Concordia were directed toward paying the $50,000 mortgage, and particularly toward the missionary outreach in the Concordia area.
While some improvements were made at Trinity during this time, most of the congregation’s efforts were expended in developing the Concordia property. The most significant action at Trinity was the acquisition in 1960 of the third and final property on Twentieth Street needed to complete the site for a new church. The dream of a new church at Trinity was not dead.
Trinity’s major obstacle to fulfilling the long-cherished dream of a new church remained the same—money and space. Zoning regulations requiring off-street parking made the eight lot site shrink in size and adequacy, so to be on the safe side, two additional properties were purchased in 1965 on the northeast and southwest corners of Twentieth and Johns, for potential parking or other future needs.
Now the big question had to be faced, “How badly do we want a new church at Trinity?” The fund-raising campaign in 1966 gave an encouraging answer. With considerable doubt, the congregation accepted the four year goal of raising $146,000 suggested by the fund-raising counselor. In fact, the fund was oversubscribed with a total of $164,000 in four-year pledges. With this willing answer from the people, Trinity was ready to accept the further counsel of its fund-raising agency that it could reasonably undertake a building project of $350,000. The congregation therefore, voted to build the complete plant of church, administration and educational facilities, with resultant saving in construction costs over a piecemeal building effort. With an updated church plant, the congregation felt it could more effectively carry out God’s work.
The long-awaited day came. Members of the congregation had come and gone over the years, but there were those who had been there from the beginning—who had seen plans for a permanent church building postponed again and again—for them it was a very special day on May 21, 1967, when ground was broken for the new church. A year later the dream became reality when the new church building was dedicated on June 9, 1968. The architectural firm that brought Trinity’s goal to fruition was Spangler, Beall, Salogga, Bradley and Albers of Decatur. Mr. George Albers, whose father had been Trinity’s second pastor, was the project architect. He received an honor award for excellence in architecture from the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for his design. Particularly impressive in the new church (now 34 years old), are the seven skylights facing south, which flood the sanctuary with natural light and accent the warm natural tones of the brick and wood interior. The stained-glass windows, of modern design, tell the story of Man before, during and after he comes to know Jesus Christ. The altar and interior furnishings were custom designed in wood.
Pastor Kenneth F. Frankenstein served Trinity faithfully until 1968, when he retired from active ministry.
In 1969, the Reverend Hugo C. Kaeding accepted the call to serve Trinity. Pastor Kaeding was assisted in his ministry by Mr. Wally Heuer, a graduate of our Synod’s Lay Training Institute. During Pastor Kaeding’s pastorate, the Kennedy Evangelism Program—a nationally known project—was conducted at Trinity. Callers were trained and made evangelism calls in the area, stimulating church growth. In the 1970’s, Trinity also undertook a comprehensive Bible study program—the Bethel Series. Two-dozen people were trained as teachers, and two hundred people attended the study sessions. Several seminars were conducted on marriage and family enrichment, family life programs and parent effectiveness training.
By 1971, the two-story frame parsonage, then some thirty years old, was beginning to show its age. An extensive remodeling of the building took place. A second bath and a room were added downstairs, and the kitchen was enlarged and renovated. Central air-conditioning was installed, the roof was renewed, and the exterior updated with aluminum siding.
As an evangelism outreach tool, Trinity started a licensed pre-kindergarten school in 1972, which had an enrollment of twenty-six pupils. Even though Trinity’s membership was reduced with the establishment of Concordia, the congregation, through the efforts of the Evangelism Committee and new members transferring into the area, numbered nine hundred and fifty souls.
Trinity is a charter member of the Lutheran School Association of Decatur. At this time, from eighty to ninety percent of our elementary and middle school students attended the two learning centers, comprising one of the largest Lutheran schools in the Missouri Synod. About one-third of the church’s budget annually was used to support the school and its outstanding program of Lutheran education. Trinity has always placed a high priority on education, and its commitment to the Lutheran School is evidence of that fact.
A propane gas tank-car in a nearby railroad yard exploded in 1974, causing “effects like an earthquake.” A national news story, the explosion almost demolished Our Redeemer Church, and severely damaged Trinity Church. Trinity’s skylights, which run the length of the church in large sections, shattered and rained down large pieces and splinters of glass, which became embedded in the carpet, pews and altar. It was a traumatic experience for the community—and certainly for the congregation. Extensive repairs had to be undertaken. The skylights were redesigned to prevent the possibility of a repeat occurrence. This time, plastic materials were installed. The building was in a state of repair for almost a year, with considerable inconvenience to the congregation.
Pastor Kaeding served Trinity until August 1975, when he accepted a call to Quincy, Illinois.
Rev. Philip C. Tesch answered the call to Trinity and was installed on January 11, 1976.
In the spring of 1977, Trinity conducted an informational survey in the Mt. Zion area concerning the formation of a Lutheran Church. The Mt. Zion Church was to be autonomous and separate from any Decatur church. The first Mt. Zion worship service was held August 6, 1977, with 74 persons attending. Pastor Tesch served as Pastoral advisor for the Mt. Zion Church.
The congregation called their first Director of Christian Education, Robert P. Dosien, who served Trinity from 1977 to 1986.
Trinity sold church property at 401 South 20th in February 1978. The money was used to pay off a church extension fund to a church member and to reduce the mortgage on our church.
An ice storm hit Decatur during Holy Week in the latter part of March 1978, causing power outages and forcing Trinity to cancel Good Friday evening services. However, Easter services were held without benefit of electricity. The storm left much of the city, including Trinity, without power for about seven days.
In March 1978, Pastor Tesch asked for, and was granted a peaceful release to accept a call to serve as Missionary at Large to the North Racine, Wisconsin area.
Trinity used vacancy pastors from April 1978 to October 1979, with Pastor Frankenstein as primary vacancy Pastor. Trinity continued to maintain a growing congregation, buy additional property, and improve the buildings and property of the church. In January 1979, Trinity bought property at 338 South 20th for possible church use. It was immediately rented to cover the cost of monthly house payments, taxes, insurance and upkeep. That fall, a new three-car garage was built at the rear of the parsonage, which included a two-car garage for the Pastor, and an additional attached garage for church storage. Although this was a long period for the congregation to be without a pastor, it was felt that Pastor Frankenstein and the church officers did an outstanding job. Certainly Trinity had God’s blessing during this time.
The congregation’s prayers were answered when Pastor David L. Schrader accepted the call to Trinity and was installed October 21, 1979. In 1980, church membership climbed to 760. Sixty-eight students from Trinity attended the Lutheran School Association, Pre-K was filled and 133 children attended Sunday school.
Since by this time, the name “Walther League” was no longer used by the Synod, the Trinity Youth groups adopted the name “Lutheran Youth Fellowship.”
In December 1981 and January 1982, the house and two garages at 348 S. 20th were demolished, and the house at 338 S. 20th was refurbished for rental.
Mr. Richard Salcido was called as a Director of Christian Education and began his duties on April 4, 1982. Mr. Salcido served Trinity six years and five months, and was given a peaceful release in September 1988 to pursue full-time theological studies. During these years, the Board of Christian Education was actively involved with the youth and young adults. Adult Saturday night specials groups were also formed to study God’s Word. Later, Bible study cottage groups were formed.
Pastor Schroeder was given
a peaceful release in July 1986 to accept a call to
Pastor Rock and Pastor Firby
served as vacancy pastors until Pastor Brownlee, Associate Pastor from
An organ committee was formed
to purchase a much-needed organ, since replacement parts for the existing organ
were no longer available. The committee selected a Rodgers 940 organ made of
wood with an oak finish. It was purchased on
In May 1995, Pastor Brownlee
accepted a call to
A new committee called Trinity 2000 was formed in August 1996. Its purpose was to help retire the debt through voluntary donations from the congregation by the year 2000. The donations were also to be used to rebuild those mission and other God pleasing activities reduced or eliminated in recent years. Later the funds have been used for special projects or needs at Trinity. The group has been very successful in their mission.
Pastor Karl Weber, who served the dual parish of Robinson and Lawrenceville, Illinois, was called by Trinity and installed on September 8, 1996, with a potluck afterwards and the burning of the church’s debt notes. In a heartfelt desire to serve God’s beloved people with the gifts of Jesus, Pastor Weber has re-instituted the use of the historic Lutheran liturgy. His Sunday morning and Thursday morning Bible classes are well attended. In the fall of 2001, Pastor Weber was asked to teach at the Lutheran High School, where he teaches a New Testament survey course for sophomore year students.
During the first six months of 1997, the walls in the Educational Wing were moved to make the library, educational room and nursery more accessible to the hall. The rooms were painted and new carpeting installed. New furniture was purchased for the library, which also serves as a sitting area for various purposes.
The kitchen was renovated in 1999—new cabinets and countertops to replace the old ones, a corner pantry built by the stove, a new central island with countertops and sinks, new cabinets along the west wall with a drain board and sink, and garage-type doors installed over the serving windows so that the kitchen could be closed off to the Fellowship Hall.
Trinity has a program called
“Spring Day” set aside to plant flowers, clean the church property, trim evergreens
and clean the rose beds. The workday is well attended and is followed by a potluck
and fellowship.
In March 1997, Charles Winterstein, Superintendent at the Lutheran School Association attended a special voter’s meeting at Trinity to answer questions and provide information concerning the purchase of a building for the LSA. Plans were carried forward, and when the LSA purchased the former Kemper-Athens Insurance building on Mound Road, much work was needed to convert the office building to a school. However, the building contained state-of-the-art wiring and safety features, plus a kitchen and restrooms. With construction workers and a host of volunteers, the large, modern building was renovated to house all kindergarten through junior high classrooms, plus additional space for a high school. The new school building was surely a gift from God to the LSA and our Trinity students. The remodeled building contained music, laboratory, art, library and computer rooms, 23 classrooms, a kitchen, dining room, TV studio and office space. The site also includes a large landscaped parking lot, and enough room for a future gym and sports field. The new school was ready to be occupied by January 15, 1998. An Open House at the new LSA School was held February 22, 1998, with 700 to 800 people attending.
Building renovation at the LSA for a high school began April 2000. When finished, there were 13 classrooms, a break and study area and access to the use of the laboratory, art, music and computer rooms, TV studio and dining area. The first high school class started at the beginning of the school year 2000-2001, with five students attending. Thirty-six high school students enrolled in the year 2001-2002, with a estimated enrollment of 66 students for the year 2002-2003.
In the year 2000, a scholarship fund was started for Trinity’s high school students at LSA. The fund, named the Kenneth F. Frankenstein Scholarship Fund, is to be funded through donations and benefits put on by the students and scholarship committee. The scholarship, depending on the number of students and the money available, will pay up to one-half of the student’s tuition. The program had good start the year 2001 – 2002. By the grace of God, the generosity of our congregation, and the Trinity 2000 committee, were able to help to three Trinity students attend the LSA High School in the fall of 2001.
Over the years, many of our members have given gifts to the church in memory of loved ones. While it would be impossible to mention all of these two such gifts in the Chancel are the Eternal Light and the processional Cross with corpus.
God has strengthened Trinity during difficult times and blessed our congregation by providing dedicated Pastors, officers, elders, trustees, and teachers. Our congregation has also been especially blessed with many caring members, who in fellowship, have worked diligently throughout the years for God’s Kingdom. To God be the Glory.
Trinity’s 75th Anniversary theme states that we are “United in Christ.” Our prayer is that we may always remain united in Christ Jesus, our Savior.