General Synod (1820-1918)

Northern Illinois Synod
(1910 map)
Advent
Ascension
Augsburg
Calvary English
Christ English
Cuyler
Grace English
Hope
Luther Memorial (Ravenswood)
Mt. Zion
People's
Reformation
Rogers Park English
St. Andrew's English
St. James' (Logan Sq.)
St. Mark's Ger.-English
St. Paul's
Tabor
Trinity (Cent. Ill.)
Unity
Woodlawn Immanuel

Wartburg Synod
Bethel German
St. Simon's German
Trinity German (Holy Trinity)

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
(or Holy Trinity)

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, later Holy Trinity, was organized by Rev. Frederick Werhahn in Feb. 1913. Rev. Werhahn was a member of the Wartburg Synod of the General Synod, although Trinity remained semi-independent until 1942.

Lots were purchased at 86th and Exchange Avenue. A temporary building was constructed in 1914 at 8611 S. Exchange (pictured above). The first building held the temporary church, the parish house, and an apartment for the pastor.

German was the official language of the congregation, with English services held on alternate Sundays starting in 1938. German was not completely dropped until after Rev. Werhahn's death in 1942. The Rev. P.B. Hack was called in 1942. The congregation purchased lots at 83rd and Crandon Ave. in 1950. The building was dedicated on June 24, 1962.

After Rev. Hack's death in 1965, the congregation was unable to secure a full-time pastor. Burdened by dept and located in a neighborhood with little potential for growth, the congregation attempted to merge with nearby congregations including Reformation at 80th and Jeffrey, Tabor at 80th and Escanaba, and Bethany at 92nd and Jeffrey.

In 1970 the building was sold to the Church of God in Christ. Unanimous approval with consolidation with Lebanon Lutheran Church was made on June 28, 1970, when the final worship was held at 83rd and Crandon.

Original records
Original records for Holy Trinity should be located at Lebanon Lutheran Church, 13100 S. Manistee Ave., 60633-1797. The ELCA Archives has congregational histories and other materials relating to Holy Trinity.

Sources
Lebanon Lutheran Church, 75th Anniversary, 1896-1971