About us

1839 — Rev. Francis Springer arrives in Springfield. He is a graduate of Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania. He supports his family by opening a private school.

1841 — The first Lutheran worship service in Springfield is held in Rev. Springer’s home. Rev. Daniel Scherer, the “Father of Illinois Lutheranism“, assists in the service. Abraham Lincoln would later purchase a home across the street from Rev. Springer’s house.

1844 — German Lutherans of Springfield are invited to join Springer’s congregation.

1846 — Concordia Theological Seminary is founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

1847 — Rev. Springer leaves Springfield to form a theological seminary in Hillsboro. Its full name was Literary and Theological Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Far West, but it was commonly referred to as Hillsboro College.

1847 — The Beginning of the Missouri Synod – On Sunday, April 25, Die Deutsche Evangelish-Lutherische Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Anderen Staaten (The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States) was formed in St. Paul’s Church in Chicago. C.F.W. Walther was elected first president. Der Lutheraner was formally made the official publication of the new synod.

1851 — Springfield Lutherans purchase the former Presbyterian Church which had been erected in 1830. Said to be the first brick church in Illinois, it was on 3rd Street, midway between Washington and Adams.

1852 — Hillsboro College moves to Springfield under Rev. Springer and Rev. Simon Harkey’s leadership. It is renamed Illinois State University.

1854 — Illinois State University dedicates an impressive school building on Springfield’s north-east side.

1854 — Springfield Lutherans divide amicably along linguistic lines: the English speaking would become Grace Lutheran Church and the German speaking (Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische Kirche) would become Trinity.

1860 — Springfield German Lutherans adopt the name Trinity for their congregation.

1860 — Trinity begins a day school in February of this year. It is believed that classes were held over a grocery store in downtown Springfield. This is the beginning of Trinity Lutheran School.

1860 — Trinity razes its Third Street church building and erects a three steepled church on the same site.

1863 — Trinity calls its first Missouri Synod pastor, Rev. William Bartling.

1865 — Trinity’s Adult Choir is formed.

1865 — Trinity purchases a home and remodels it to be used as a school. It is located on the north side of Jefferson between First and Second Streets.

1867 — The Lutheran institution, Illinois State University, closes its doors.

1872 — Trinity joins the Missouri Synod.

1875 — Concordia Theological Seminary moves from St. Louis to Springfield under the leadership of Rev. Craemer. They utilize the former Illinois State University building which is soon nicknamed “die Kaffeemuehle” because of its similarity to a coffee mill.

1880 — Trinity razes its school building (a former home) and builds a new school on the site. It is at 123 West Jefferson.

1880 — Trinity’s Ladies Aid (Tabea Verein) is formed.

1889 — Trinity dedicates its present church at 2nd and Monroe. Over 5,000 people attend the ceremonies.

1891 — Luther Hall is dedicated at Concordia Theological Seminary.

1895 — Trinity establishes a branch elementary school on the Seminary Grounds.

1897 — Trinity Pastor Martin Luecke leads efforts to found the Springfield Hospital and Training School, now Memorial Medical Center. Trinity’s lay people and Concordia’s professors are instrumental in the organization and running of the hospital.

1905 — Electric Lighting replace gas lights in the church. (Note: During the recent renovation some of the old gas pipes were exposed.)

1906 — Trinity builds a modern school behind the church at Second and Monroe.