Trinity: Celebrating 50 Years

“Celebrating Our Past, Anticipating Our Future”

1957

Inspired by faith, encouraged in population growth, and motivated by a desire to serve, nine area residents held the first planning meeting to consider a Methodist Church for Mount Prospect November 24, 1957. The group met in the Charles McClellan home, 157 Edward Street, with District Superintendent Dr. Birger Dahl, and Organizing Pastor, Rev. Richard F. Mellor:

1958

The first Vesper Service was held Sunday, February 16, 1958 at the Mount Prospect Village Hall, and the first morning Worship Service on Palm Sunday, 1958, at Lincoln School. The Trinity congregation was formally organized and issued a Certificate of Organization on May 18, 1958, with eighty-eight charter members signing the roster. Rev. Donald M.Thomas was appointed as Pastor.

1959

Ground was broken for the first unit of Trinity's present building complex September 13, 1959. Completion and consecration took place a year later on September 25, 1960, with an expenditure of $80,000.

1962

At mid-year, Rev. Claude C. Dotson succeeded Rev. Thomas. Larry Hilkemann and Darryl St. Aubin served as Assistant Pastors.

1963

Burgeoning crowds, babies crying and disrupting worship services gave sufficient impetus for building Trinity’s second unit, an educational facility. Ground was broken and construction started on this unit April 28, 1963. At this time attendance was approaching 300. The educational wing, built at a cost of $112,000, was used first on November 17, 1963.

1968

Rev. Dr. Robert E. Matthews was appointed as Senior Pastor. Rev. Harvey Neumann served as Associate Pastor and Dan Gangler as Minister of Youth.

1969

Again feeling the need to serve its growing communities, Trinity’s congregation accepted on May 18, 1969, a preliminary study of facility needs and approved the beginning of architectural plans and the retaining of an architectural firm to develop them.

1970

Plans prepared by Architects Anderson, Rehder and Yandre, accompanied by an outline for financing the construction, were accepted at a congregational meeting January 11, 1970. Authorization was given to move ahead with working drawings and specific mortgage planning.1971

At an All-Church Conference January 24, 1971, detailed plans for a new sanctuary and office wing were approved and a mortgage for $375,000 authorized. Construction began in the spring and was completed approximately a year later.

1972

Almost fourteen years to the day after the first Methodist Sunday worship service in Mount Prospect, an inaugural service was held in the new sanctuary on Palm Sunday, March 26, 1972.

Consecration of these new facilities was celebrated May 21, 1972. Membership at that time was reported as approaching 1,000. The cost of construction was $375,0000.

The new sanctuary with a vaulted roof and 13 massive oak beams lead our eyes and our hearts upward to God. 1976

Rev. Russell W. Koenig was appointed Senior Pastor. Kenneth Crooks served as Associate Pastor.

1979

Rev. Omar Logan was appointed Senior Pastor.

1983

Trinity Church celebrated its 25th anniversary with a worship service and special program in May.

1990

PADS (Public Assistance Delivery System) opens its doors in October to homeless persons in the Northwest suburbs.

1993

At the suggestion of Rev. Logan, a committee began researching the feasibility of adding a Memorial Wall and Garden.

1994

Rev. Tallulah F. Williams was appointed Senior Pastor.

1996

Rev. Kirk Reed was appointed Senior Pastor. Rev. Betsy Youdris served as Director of Christian Education.

In November a Memorial Center, comprised of two walls – interior and exterior, was dedicated. The Memorial Center was designed to add an extra dimension to our church’s ministry of honoring those who have gone before and thanking God for each of their lives.

1998

Trinity Church celebrated its 40th anniversary with the theme “New Every Morning”.

1999

With a new larger sanctuary in place, it was decided to explore the feasibility of converting the original sanctuary area into a series of multi-purpose meeting rooms. In December a list of needs & priorities – including handicapped accessibility - was identified by a ‘Trinity 2000’ committee. Architect David Schultz was requested to prepare and submit cost estimates.

2000

A ground breaking ceremony took place in _______ marking the beginning of converting the original sanctuary area into a series of multi-purpose meeting rooms, adding a state-of-the art nursery area plus a Courtyard garden and installing a handicapped accessibility lift unit.

2001

In early 2001 Director of Christian Education Betsy Youdris unveiled a Christian Education program plan calling for the establishment of a new computer center. Shortly after the plan was announced, the Illinois Bankers Association generously donated an extensive amount of their used computer hardware, enabling the center to officially open in Room 101 of the Education wing. In the fall a series of Sunday school classes began using the donated computer equipment in the Center.

2002

Construction was completed for the new facilities as planned and overseen by the Trinity 2000 committee.

2004

Saturday November 13 an All-Church planning retreat was led by Rev. Bill Obalil, consultant, to explore a ALA08 new vision for Trinity Church which led to the formation of a ‘Joel Committee’.

2005

A new vision and theme, “Trinity – a Pathway Home to God” was introduced by the Joel Committee.

Effective July 1, Rev. Barbara Isaacs appointed Senior Pastor.

2006

Effective July 1, Rev. Daniel Swinson appointed Senior Pastor.