Trinity’s story began with Paulus List, a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago and Manager of the United Lutheran Publication House of Chicago. He had family living in Des Plaines and when visiting them, often discussed the need for a new Lutheran church to serve people in this area. In 1925, he convinced the Mission Board of the Illinois Synod to conduct a study and canvas of the city and its environs. This led to the establishment of a mission congregation called Trinity.
On September 1, 1925, the first worship services were held in the Masonic Temple on Miner Street under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. T.B. Hersch, Missionary Superintendent of the Illinois Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America. After a short time, the fledgling congregation moved to worshipping in a storefront on Miner Street and organized a Sunday School.
On May 26, 1926, approximately a year after it was first conceived, this congregation was formally established and organized and chartered under the corporate title of Trinity English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Des Plaines, Illinois. There were nineteen charter members:
Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Hahn
Alfred Hahn
Ella Hahn
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Neuman
Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Klipstein
Mr. and Mrs. Raleigh Klipstein
Mr. and Mrs. Theron Sisson
Mrs. Louisa Armbruster
Mrs. Ida Kurth
Mrs. Anna and Miss Alma Grambauer
Mr. Chas. Gatzke
Having established the congregation, the Rev. Dr. T.B. Hersch completed his time at Trinity in May 1926. He was succeeded by the Rev. Harmon J. McGuire, then a divinity student at the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary in Maywood, who served as student pastor for the remainder of the year. In later years, he became become president of the Illinois Synod.
On February 1, 1927, the Rev. Paul J. Gerberding, Field Missionary of the Illinois Synod of the United Lutheran Church, began his tenure at Trinity. The growing congregation then moved to a larger temporary quarters in the American Legion Home.
On March 6, 1927, the congregation decided to purchase property on Rose Ave., near 2nd Ave. A portable chapel, formerly used by different mission congregations in Chicago, was donated by the Mission Board. Members worked to erect and prepare the chapel. Just a week after the chapel was completed, the building collapsed in a heavy windstorm. The congregation was not deterred and rallied to rebuild and redecorate the chapel, which was dedicated on June 5, 1927.
Growth at this time was inevitable and soon thereafter Trinity was ready to extend a call to its first full-time pastor. The choice of the congregation was the Rev. L.G. Bald, a graduate of Waterloo Seminary in Canada. The Rev. Bald began his pastorage on July, 3, 1927 and served Trinity for almost eleven years. During this period the chapel building was expanded to provide additional space for various activities. The first women’s group, the Dorcas Society was also organized in 1927.
Trinity Congregation Council’s recommendations for the January 1928 Congregational Meeting
That a budget plan basing the expenditures for the year of 1928 as $2500 be adopted, a membership canvas to be held the Sunday following the congregational meeting
That the congregation take part in the Pastors Pension and Relief Fund.
That church membership constitute any two of the following three:
Receiving of Lord’s Supper
Attending services once a year
Paying of pledges
That a building committee be appointed by the Council. (The congregation or Church Council must pass on all expenditures before being made.)
That Lord’s Supper be held once every two months.
That the congregation give Rev. Bald a note of thanks for his services
That Rev. Bald be given one month’s vacation.
In the summer of 1927, the portable chapel was rededicated and Rev. Bald began his tenure as Trinity’s pastor. During the congregation’s early years, a number of organizations were formed within the church including the Dorcas Society, the Women’s Missionary Society, the Brotherhood, the Sunday School, the Light Brigade, Luther League, and a Men’s Chorus. The congregation added a worship service on Thanksgiving Day and midweek Lenten services. They tried out a Sunday evening worship and also experimented with an earlier time for Sunday School and worship during the summer in 1933. This was not popular and required a special Council meeting for discussion “on account of the early hour, attendance decreased and the primary class children were too sleepy to pay attention to teachers.”
Finances were a constant concern in these years. The various organizations within the congregation controlled their own budgets, and the Congregation Council regularly asked these groups to help pay the church’s bills. Of course, the Great Depression that began in 1929 didn’t help, although there is little mention of it in the Council minutes of the era, except in Rev. Bald’s report at the Annual Congregational Meeting in 1932, “it was noted … that 1931 was a year of peace with all departments working as well as can be expected under the handicap of depression.” At the 1933 Congregational meeting, it was reported that little benevolence was paid to the larger church and the pastor’s salary had not been paid in full. Throughout this time, the Mission Board of the United Lutheran Church was subsidizing the congregation. The amount received decreased every year with the expectation that Trinity would continue to become more self-sufficient.
From minutes of Council and Congregational meetings:
Mr. Hessleby was appointed to get estimates and information regarding heating of the chapel. (9/10/1928)
The regular quarterly meeting of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was held at the church. 14 members being present. The following recommendations of the church council were passed on: That the Mission Board be asked to investigate conditions in Des Plaines. General discussion preceding this motion showed that members were rapidly losing interest in the church and a very small percentage of the members were active. (10/28/1929)
There was some discussion as to what could be done to improve and increase our church attendance but no action taken at this meeting. (2/2/1930 )
Subject of janitor was discussed. No action taken. (4/7/1930)
Moved by E. Herzog that the chairman appoint a Relief Committee to help poor. (9/14/1931)
The midweek Services were mentioned by Reverend Bald to find out if we would keep them up or discontinue them. Giving them another trial was favored. (4/4/1932)
M. Stoeckel went to the conference with Reverend Bald and reported that after he visited some of the other churches he didn't think our church was so bad in itself, referring to financial and other appearance. (5/2/1932)
On account of stormy weather there was no February meeting. (3/6/1933)
Insurance came up for discussion and it was decided to drop insurance with Mr. Miller on account of too high premiums and accept a Insurance offered by C. Wille for less cost. Condition of roof of church was discussed and floor of church was rotting. Rev. Bald and H. Hammerl promised to take care of same. (6/5/1933)
Mr. Barrows spoke on the condition the church was left in after the Halloween party given by the Luther League on Saturday October 31st. After some discussion, Secretary was instructed to write Luther League about same. (12/7/1936)
From minutes of Council and Congregational meetings:
Upon motion properly made and seconded the Council voted to purchase a gift (an umbrella) for Miss Grambauer in appreciation for services rendered. (4/2/1928)
It was decided that all persons not members of the church who so desire shall be given communion, providing they are worthy of same to the best knowledge of the pastor. (4/2/1928 )
Rev. Bald discussed the (possibility) of building a tennis court along side the church. (6./4/1928)
Special meeting was held to determine what might be done to improve and increase an interest in our congregation. Motion made and seconded that we secure the names of those present due to the lack of attendance and a committee be appointed to ascertain from those not present to State their reason. A report to be made to the church Council when the Committee has finished their canvas. (9/8/1930)
The audit of Sunday School books shows that Mr. Schiefelbein owes the Sunday fund $294.90. The Council decided that the Financial Secretary and Treasurer demand action from Mr. Schiefelbein in regards to settlement. Phone arrangements made by Reverend Bald to meet and talk to Mr. Schiefelbein at 11:30 p.m. tonight and committee to meet at Reverend Bald’s following day. (12/1/1930)
It was suggested that we loosen the carpet and turn it around and take out the brass railing and put in wooden rail. (2/1/1932)
The Treasurer’s report was then read showing a balance after all bills outside the congregation having been paid to have been $12.09. Little benevolence had been paid and the pastor’s salary was not fully paid. (1/15/1933)
[Vice President] explained why this meeting was called which is the problem concerning Sunday School on account of the early hour. Attendance decreased and the Primary Class Children were too sleepy to pay attention to teachers, therefore S. S. Superintendent asked Council's action to remedy this. A discussion was held by all members and a motion was made to present said condition to our congregation on Sunday, to have Congregation by vote decide at what hour S.S. and Church Services shall be held. (7/13/1933)
Some discussion regarding Church bulletins with business men's ads was left in the hands of the Pastor. (6/4/1934)
Mr. Stoeckel offered the following for the Council's consideration
That the church property be placed in order and kept so.
Members of council visit members and non-members throughout the year.
See that the church and respective organizations refrain from raising funds through questionable means.
Members of council investigate any grievances between the pastor and members that may occur. (2/1/1937)