Congregational Timeline
(Note: The following Timeline, for purely
practical reasons, does injustice to the legions of dedicated and
God fearing individuals - pastors, teachers, and laity - that God
graciously provided for Trinity from its inception to the present
day and for whom we are most appreciative and thankful.)
 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 Jubilate 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
faction (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. It is believed that
classes were held over a grocery store in downtown Springfield. This
is the beginning of Trinity's present Christian Elementary 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,
becomes defunct and closes its doors.
1870
-- A serious schism develops at Trinity over the lodge and "secret
society" question. A number of members leave and form their own
church which is now St. John's Lutheran on west Washington.
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 (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.
(Note: Memorial Medical Center enjoyed a gala celebration for its
100th Anniversary this past spring (1997). A book, Memorial Days,
has been published in conjunction with the anniversary.)
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.
1916
-- Trinity builds a modern school on the north-east side of
Springfield for the many children of people employed in the coal
mines, Pillsbury Mills, the Illinois Watch Factory, the railroad
yards, and other businesses. The school is named Immanuel.
1920
-- Trinity Church building is renovated.
1923
-- First "Moving Pictures" were shown in Trinity School.
1924
-- Trinity's Youth join the International Walther League.
1926
-- Trinity releases about 200 members to form Immanuel Church
and the Immanuel School building is presented to the new
congregation.
1926
-- The Walther League installs the first phone in Trinity, it was
located in the kitchen.
1927
-- The corporate name for Trinity is changed from German to English.
1930
-- A branch Sunday School is started in West Grand School (on Wabash
Avenue).
1934
-- The "Kaffeemuehle" on the seminary grounds is razed.
1936
-- The largest renovation Trinity Church has undergone begins. It is
a five year effort.
1939
-- The Schocknecht Organ is dedicated replacing the old Pilcher
Organ.
1940
-- Trinity begins deaf-mute services.
1946
-- Trinity employs its first secretary.
1947
-- Boy Scouts begins at Trinity.
1951
-- Luther Statue on Seminary grounds is dedicated.
1953
-- Girl Scouts begins at Trinity. (The girls are now members of the
Lutheran Rangerettes.)
1953
-- The last regular German Service is held at Trinity on June 18th
with 18 people in attendance.
1953
-- The annual cost to the congregation for each student at Trinity
is reported to be $91.23.
1954
-- Our present large Day School and Gym is dedicated on August 29.
1954
-- First Newsletter is published.
1960
-- A segment of Trinity members are released to form the west side
congregation of Our Savior's.
1964
-- Trinity's Second and Monroe School is demolished.
1972
-- Extensive renovation to our church. A new Cassavant organ is
installed.
1976
-- Despite valiant efforts by local lay leaders, pastors and even
city officials, Concordia Seminary leaves Springfield for
Fort Wayne, Indiana. It had a 99 year length of stay here. The
buildings and grounds are presently used by the State of Illinois
Department of Corrections for training of employees.
1997
-- Extensive renovation to both church and school is completed.
1997
-- Trinity embarks on a Master Plan formulation for the future of
its Springfield Mission.
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