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| | | | Trinity Lutheran Church is a member of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. As Lutherans, we in the LC-MS share a strong belief in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired inerrant Word of God. It is by God's grace alone, through our faith worked in us by the Holy Spirit, that we believe in Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation. | |
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Rev. Rodger P. Abatie |
The history of Trinity Lutheran Church is an account of the work of the Holy Spirit through the efforts of its members as they gather to worship and serve God and to extend His kingdom in the community. it is the story of pastors, professional church workers, teachers, committees, boards, voters and laymen of the congregation who joined together to fulfill the mission of the congregation.Although Trinity Lutheran Church began worship services in September, 1941, the need for a second Lutheran congregation in Pekin was discussed for several years before that time, leading to the time when 160 Lutherans of St. John's Lutheran Church decided to withdraw from membership and start a new congregation. Within days, the auditorium of Jefferson School was rented, and the 1st worship service was conducted on Sunday, September 14, 1941. The first temporary home of the new congregation for over 3 months, served by pastors from other churches in the Peoria area. Our name, TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, was selected as the first congregational meeting 3 days later. |
Early in October, 1941, a decision was quickly made to purchase two parcels of property in the 700 block of South Fourth Street. A simple frame church building was planned for the north side of the property. In less than 2 months, a building was ready for the Christmas Eve service, attended by 275 persons. A call was issued to Trinity's first pastor on Feb. 15. Ground was broken on Sept. 30, 1951, 2 weeks after the congregation's tenth anniversary, for the new church already needed. Cornerstone laying for our present sanctuary took place on Jan. 27, 1952.In the meantime, the pastor and his family were still living in the limited space on the 2nd floor of the parish hall, soon to be torn down. The new parsonage at the corner of South Fourth and Winter Streets was dedicated Aug. 3, 1952, as plans were underway for the grand dedication of the new church next door. Dedication Day came on Oct. 26, 1952, with a total attendance of over 1,400. The need for more Sunday School classrooms and fellowship space became very evident as the congregation continued to grow. Such space need suddenly became very acute when, on Saturday morning, Oct. 19, 1957, fire gutted the parish hall. The frame church building was saved, as were most of the records and equipment. Plans for the new wing were already in the final stages and were approved by the Voters within weeks after the fire. Trinity celebrated its 20th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 17, 1961, with over 600 communicant members. The congregation continued to grow to a peak membership of over 800 communicant members. The need for off-street parking was obvious and the congregation obtained all but one of the houses on Bacon Street by 1070, to be demolished or moved to create a large parking lot at the rear of the church. Our rear entrance to the Educational Building became our main entrance from the parking lot. During that period, there was a growing movement within the 2 LC-MS congregations in the Pekin area to develope a parochial school. On Oct. 19, 1980, the Voters Asembly approved the Inter-parish School Agreement with St. John's, Green Valley and St. John's Pekin. Many Trinity members were involved in the early developemnt of Good Shepherd Lutheran School and many Trinity children have benefitted from their attendance at Good Shepherd during the yers of its operation. The Lord has blessed His people here at Trinity in many ways since that momentous Sunday in 1941 when 160 Luterhans gathered at Jefferson School for their 1st worship service and Sunday School. We pray that in the year 2001 and beyond our vision will be as bold and forward looking in the service of our Lord as was the vision in 1941. |
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| | | Site maintained by: RODGER ABATIE tlcpekin@gallatinriver.net 700 S. Fourth St. Pekin Illinois 61554 United States of America Phone: 309-346-1391 |
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