Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Springfield, Illinois - The Capitol Church
(Note: The following Time Line, 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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