About Trinity Lutheran Ministries
Welcome to the Trinity Lutheran Ministries web site. Trinity is a family of believers united by our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Trinity has a long and blessed history. We were founded in 1901 and have faithfully proclaimed the truths of Holy Scripture since that time. We proclaim these Biblical truths with special emphasis on these facts – we are saved by God’s unwarranted Grace;
we are justified by Faith in Jesus Christ; we learn all these things through the Holy Scriptures.
Plan to join us as we worship, learn and grow!
Worship, Learn and Grow
The history of Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Daycare
On June 18, 1901, a small group of Lutherans officially met and began to create the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Edwardsville. After two months of toiling over a constitution, the final draft was accepted, and on August 6, 1901 the congregation was officially organized.
Initially, services were held in rented space of various Edwardsville churches, and school classes were held in their basements. It wasn't until 1903 that discussions began on building a church of their own. Monies were raised and property at the corner or Fillmore and Chapman was purchased. In May of 1905, a fund raising campaign began for construction of the church. The estimated cost of the building was $4,884 – plus furnace plumbing and electrical work.
In the fall of 1905, the cornerstone was laid and on March 25, 1906 the new church was dedicated.
In 1915, a lot next to the church was purchased and a one-room wooden structure was built. The school was dedicated in September of 1915 with two services – German in the morning and English in the afternoon. The school enrolled 48 pupils in 1916 – all in one room.
Through the 1920's additions were made to both the school – two rooms and the church – a balcony, pipe organ and bell tower. Trinity struggled through the Depression years, but despite the adverse conditions, the Lord provided and the congregation did what they could to keep the church alive. In 1931, a tract of land just two blocks from the church was donated for church purposes. This site would later be used for construction of a new school.
During the 1940's and 1950's the church and school continued to grow. Staff was added, and it became apparent that a new, larger school would be necessary. Additional land purchases were made adjacent to our current tract of land. In 1952, a Building Committee was formed, a fund drive began, and on February 14, 1954, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. Less than six months later the the new school building was dedicated.
The 1960's saw additional growth for Trinity. 600 people called Trinity their church home. With school enrollment nearing 200, an addition was added in 1962. During the next ten years an idea was discussed to add a preschool to the church basement. By 1975, Trinity had a co-op for three and four year olds.
In 1983, Trinity decided to build a new church. Although the idea of building a new structure had been debated for decades, the time had come to take action. Committees were formed, and meetings generated both new ideas and enthusiasm. In 1984, groundbreaking ceremonies took place and today's church structure soon began to take shape. Later that year, the building was dedicated.
The Daycare was established in 1990 and three years later, discussions began for a major expansion of the school. In 1998, the school and offices were expanded.
Today the school and daycare programs serve nearly 300 children. Our church is 1,200 members strong. With outreach programs in our community and beyond, Trinity Lutheran Ministries continues to grow in service to our Lord by supporting our Mission: To lift high the cross of Jesus Christ by preaching, teaching and sharing God's love and unchanging Word.
