Trinity Congregation had its beginning in the year of 1859, when 13 families living in the area of New Bremen, which is now known as Tinley Park, decided to form their own congregation. The Reverend Mr. Stubnatzy, who was pastor of St. John's in Cooper's Grove (which is now Country Club Hills), came over to preach to the small group. The congregation built a two-story structure, hoping that it would become the home of their new church, school, and pastor. The first floor was to be used as living quarters for the pastor and the second floor would serve as a school during the week and a church on Sundays.

All attempts to establish a recognized congregation were unsuccessful until 1880, when the Iowa Synod finally recognized Trinity as a congregation. The Charter Members were: Friedrich Engelhardt, Philip Hunhstock, Christ Abbe, Sr., Christian Schilling, Justian Knieriam, and Peter Dehnhardt. Descendants of some of the original 13 families are still members of Trinity today.

In 1861, the Rev. Herman Wunderlich became the first permanent pastor of Trinity, serving as both pastor and teacher until 1871, when he accepted a Call to Tolleston, Indiana.

The Rev. J.H.C. Martin followed Pastor Wunderlich from 1871 to 1884. He was also the Congregation's teacher until Herman Reifert was called. Teacher Reifert served from 1875 to 1880.

On Christmas Day, 1882, the congregation lost its church. Trinity burned to the ground -- a total loss -- but once again the congregation pulled together and, during the following summer, rebuilt Trinity. Soon after, in 1884, Pastor Martin accepted a Call and the church was again without a pastor.

Click here for picture of the "Old Church"

On August 17, 1884, the Rev. Theodore Buenger was installed as pastor. During his years with Trinity, the congregation at Orland branched off and Christ Lutheran Church was established. Trinity was also incorporated during Pastor Buenger's time (April 1, 1890); in 1891 Trinity became a member of the Missouri Synod. Also in 1891, Pastor Buenger accepted a Call to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he later became Director of Concordia College, a position in which he served until his death in 1896.

The Reverend Walter Krebs followed Buenger, in June of 1891. During his time with Trinity, our teacher, Mr. Hassenpflug, who had served for 33 years, died in 1914. After a lingering illness, Pastor Krebs died on March 11, 1917.

Easter time, 1917, brought with it Trinity's next pastor, the Rev. William Greve. During his time with Trinity, much repair work was done to the church property and a new school was built. After serving the congregation for 17 years, Pastor Greve accepted a Call in 1935 as Institutional Missionary for the Chicago area.

The Rev. Martin Frick became Trinity's next pastor on March 10, 1935. During his time, Sunday School was established and English services were introduced. The Sunday Bulletin was published for the first time. In September, 1940, Pastor Frick accepted a Call to St. Andrew's Church in Chicago.

The Rev. Fred Pfotenhauer followed Pastor Frick, from 1940 - 1943. During his short stay, the congregation began renovation on the interior of the church. However, Pastor Pfotenhauer accepted a Call to Concordia congregation before the work was completed.

May 9, 1943, brought the Rev. Oswald Woelzlein, who guided the church through the renovation. Pastor Woelzlien died suddenly in 1948, and the Rev. H. David Mensing was Called. He served Trinity from 1948 until 1951, when he decided to affiliate with another synod. Trinity voted to stay with the Missouri Synod, and the Rev. Carl Hoeh was Called.

During Pastor Hoeh's time at Trinity, the Chancel was remodeled and carpeted. A new Church Planning Committee was formed in 1958. Centennial celebrations continued throughout the year of 1959. Pastor Hoeh agreed to continue the German language services as long as there were at least three families who spoke German. One of the last of the families passed away, leaving two German speaking families. In accordance to the Pastor's word, the last German language service was conducted on the last Sunday in April, 1960. It is interesting that everyone in these families could understand English perfectly! The name of the original church was changed about this time from the original "Dreieinichkeit Evangelische Lutheranische Gemeinde", or "Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church" during this period of time.

Construction was begun on the new church in 1962. Pastor Hoeh participated at the ground breaking ceremony. On October 16, 1963, Pastor Hoeh was called to his eternal rest before the church was completed. During his illness Pastor Hoeh wrote a hymn on the cover of a Life magazine that was laying in his hospital room. The words were sung to the song of hymn #100 of the old Lutheran Hymnal.

David Zersen officiated at the dedication of the new church building in 1964; the present school facility was constructed and dedicated in 1967. He went to Germany for further education and did not return to Trinity.

Click here for a picture of the "New Church, School, and Fellowship Hall"

From 1964 until 1969, the Rev. Alexander F.C. Pfotenhauer faithfully served the congregation of Trinity. After his departure to serve a congregation in Rockford, Illinois, the Rev. Carl Beuschlein was Called to serve; he was here until April, 1979 when he accepted a call to Scottsdale, Arizona. (Several vicars joined to aid the church during this time)

Between April, 1979, and the spring of 1980, Trinity was led by various vacancy pastors, i.e., Vicar John Heusmann and the Rev. Frank Schultz. In 1980, the Rev. Alan Bachert accepted the Call to serve. During Pastor Bachert's stay, exterior and interior improvements were made to the church building, and another parking lot was added. The mortgage was burned in 1984 at the 125th Anniversary Dinner. The Rev. R. William Roper became Trinity's first Assistant Pastor in 1981 and accepted a Call to St. John, Forest Park, in early 1983.

In 1982, Steven Stec was Called as the first Minister of Education; in 1983, Rick Fitch accepted our Call as Minister of Youth and Evangelism; Carl Lisius officially became Minister of Music, a function which he had held since coming to Trinity in 1977; and the Rev. Steven Bartell, an assistant pastor, became the first Minister of Discipleship in 1984. Both Rick Fitch and Pastor Bartell left Trinity to minister to other congregations. Merrill Clark was hired as Pastoral Assistant in 1985 and accepted a Call to a congregation in Missouri in April, 1988.

In the summer of 1986, Pastor Bachert accepted a Call to Chesterfield, Missouri. During this subsequent vacancy Trinity was served by several vacancy pastors: Les Kimball, Wendell Petersen, Kevin Wenker and Paul Brunner. In January, 1988, Reverend Paul Strand, from Wichita, Kanasas was installed as Senior Pastor of Trinity. Reverend Paul Brunner was installed as Assistant Pastor.

At this time, it became obvious that Tinley Park, as well as Trinity, were going through growing pains; our sanctuary and school classrooms were overcrowded. In October. 1988, a building committee was formed to study the feasibility of expansion. As a result of the study, an ambitious "Arise and Build" campaign was begun. A new Sanctuary was built between the old one and the school; in addition, a new canopied west entrance, new church offices, a conference room, a spacious new Narthex, a choir room, and an east wing with several new classrooms, and a media center for the school were added. All were connected into one large complex. Dedication of the new facility was November 24, 1991.

Click here for a picture of the Current Church built in the 1990's

It was determined that Trinity's youth needed more opportunities available to them, so Mrs. Melinda Schluckebier was Called and became our full-time Youth Director in December, 1995. In 1997 Mrs. Nancy Eberling became Director of Children's ministries.

As the congregation continued to grow, the need for yet another pastor became obvious. As a result, Rev. Ron Rock, from Commerce City, Colorado was Called in October, 1997; he was installed in January, 1998. Pastor Brunner went into semi-retirement in May, 1998, working two days a week for Trinity. He continues to guest preach throughout the South Suburbs where he is much needed.

In September, 1999, Melinda Schluckebier took a Call to Longmont, Colorado; Bob Weiss became the new youth director in May, 2000 until health problems necessitated an early retirement. Priscilla Steinmetz was installed as Director of Youth in October, 2001. In September, 2001, Assistant Pastor Rock accepted a Call to Zion Lutheran Church in Beecher, Illinois.

In October, 2001 Mrs. Priscilla Steinmetz was installed as Director of Youth. In December, 2001 Bethany Heide, RN, was installed as Trinity's first Parish Nurse. Still in need for another pastor, in September, 2002, Trinity issued a Call to Rev. Richard Schauer from Cudahy, Wisconsin. He accepted the Call to serve as Assistant Pastor and was installed in November, 2002. In October, 2003, Rev. Schauer became Associate Pastor at Trinity.

Several changes occurred early in 2004: Bethany Heide resigned as Parish Nurse and Mrs. Kathy Huster became Director of Children's Ministries following the resignation of Nancy Eberling. Trinity also celebrated Pastor Strand's 25th year in the Preaching Ministry in April, 2004.

Trinity is the 27th largest church in worship attendance out of 6,200 churches and schools in the Missouri Synod. Current baptized membership is over 2,100; Day School enrollment is over 300; and Sunday School students number over 200.

Our current pastors:

January 1988, the Rev. Paul Strand was installed as Senior Pastor of Trinity
April 1989, the Rev. Paul Brunner was installed as Assistant Pastor
November, 2002, the Rev. Richard Schauer was installed as Assistant Pastor, now Associate Pastor