Trinity History

History 1850-Present

Where we have been...

Out of the Cedar Creek Circuit of 1850, the former Oak Avenue Church (now Faith Church) was detached and was constituted a Mission Field.  Having 20 members it was known as "Emmanuel Freeport German Church", organized in 1851-1852.

In approximately 1868, a group withdrew because they wished to have services in English  and formed a new church, the Salem Mission. 

In 1869, Salem Mission Church, located on Pleasant St. between Galena and Walnut, was formed. 

In 1893, the "dubs" faction of a schism in the Evangelical Association bought the land at the corner of Pleasant and Union (now Chicago Ave.), built a church of wood, and incorporated themselves as Trinity Evangelical Association bought the land at the corner of Pleasant and Union (now Chicago Ave.), built a church of wood, and incorporated themselves as Trinity Evangelical Church of Freeport.  J. H Keagle was the first minister.

By 1907, the congregation has outgrown the building.  With Rev. L.C. Schmidt as pastor, the frame building was razed and a new building completed at a cost of $15,000.

While in this location, the church became affiliated with the United Methodist Church and changed their name to the present name of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Through the years, improvements and repairs were made on the church, but finally, in 1984, renovation and need of revitalization led Trinity Church to take a giant leap of faith.  On April 1, 1984, the congregation voted to relocate to the west side of Freeport.  Ground was broken on April 26, 1987.  Under the leadership of Pastor Jim Crone, a new building, costing nearly $1,000,000 was built.  On February 1988, the people of Trinity United Methodist Church moved into their home at 2600 W. Pearl City Rd.