History of Trinity Presbyterian Church
Trinity Presbyterian Church began with as a Sunday School in a two-room red brick school in March of 1871. It was named Pleasant Hill Sunday School and continued to meet in this small location until November of 1924 when thanks to the hard work and devotion of it’s members, the group dedicated a new Chapel for the Sunday School group purchased by the offerings of its members.
January 18, 1953 the Pleasant Hill Sunday School was officially dissolved after having ministered to the community needs for nearly 82 years. At the same instant, however, this ministry continued to be met by the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, chartered with 39 members.
At the time of its conception, the Pleasant Hill Sunday School was in an area of great potential. However, by the mid 20th century, Presbytery recommended a move due to the fact that the current location was not as appealing as the church’s name suggested being surrounded by vacant cemetery lots to the south, a junk yard to the east, and on the reverse side of hill from the major section of town. Thus in 1958, under the direction of the Department of National Missions, three possible sites for movement were considered: Morton, Germantown, and Bartonville. Bartonville was finally decided upon and in the summer of 1958, a survey was taken the results of which showed sufficient interest and support. Thus an agreement with the Illinois Council of Churches was arranged and a ten-acre site was purchased at the corner of what is now Airport, Pfeiffer, and Hollis Roads for $27,500.
To a large degree, it cannot be said that the Pleasant Hill Church ceased to exist. Rather, those who had most ardently given their support to that body, became the nucleus of the new church. Between January and March 29, 1959, the Pleasant Hill congregation was deeply involved in planning and preparation. It was also then that they determined, with Presbytery agreement, that the new church should be known as TRINITY. Trinity church began by meeting at Oak Grove Grade School with 49 charter members and in one year’s time, came within 7 of doubling that initial number.
In 1960 it was time to begin working toward a new Church home. November and December of 1960 a building committee was formed and the congregation all chose areas in which to invest their time to aid the process. After several years of fundraising, planning, and the hiring of an architectural firm, on November 4, 1962, the 3rd anniversary of Trinity as a Church the Trinity congregation approved the plans presented by the firm.
The official Groundbreaking ceremony was held April 7, 1963 which each member shoveling out a small section until the outline of the proposed building was created. The following Sunday service was held within the outline of this future building.
The first Service of Divine Worship in the newly erected building was held October 6, 1963. Although some construction work still needed to be done, and the pews had not arrived yet, it was with a deep sense of thanksgiving to God that 128 persons gathered for Sunday School and 182 attended the Sunday Service with 29 children in the Church Nursery. After many more weeks of hard work to prepare for the church’s official dedication, the Dedication was held Sunday November 3, 1963, which was the Fourth Anniversary of the establishment of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Bartonville, Illinois.
With the Service of Dedication came not an ending, but a beginning of the work Trinity has been called upon to do. There have been many highs and lows in Trinity’s 137 years since it’s inception as a small Sunday School class ministering to the areas residents. We hope to strive and grow and continue to serve this community for many, many years to come.
