Trinity Lutheran Church has been in Ottawa, Illinois for
over 125 years.

We are an inclusive congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
in the Northern Illinois Synod.

Everyone is welcome here! 🌈

About Trinity

We believe God is our creator and has promised to love us always.

We believe Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, is God’s promise living among us. He experienced all the pain and joy and challenges of human life. God’s forgiving love was revealed to us when Jesus suffered death on the cross. He came back to new life and has promised us new life in unity with God.

We believe the Holy Spirit is God’s promise touching our spirits and animating our lives, guiding us – even through our most difficult moments.

We believe God is among us in community. Mysterious, yet very real, God promises to be with us always, even to the end of the age.

We asked members how they feel about Trinity:

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What To Expect:

Worship service is every Sunday at 10:00 AM.

We believe God is our creator and has promised to love us always. We believe Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, is God’s promise living among us. He experienced all the pain and joy and challenges of human life. God’s forgiving love was revealed to us when Jesus suffered death on the cross. He came back to new life and has promised us new life in unity with God. We believe the Holy Spirit is God’s promise touching our spirits and animating our lives, guiding us – even through our most difficult moments. We believe God is among us in community. Mysterious, yet very real, God promises to be with us always, even to the end of the age. 

We welcome wiggles and coos sounds of youth!. We are eager to engage them in the life of worship and their families, at church. Our message for all ages each Sunday will speak directly to you with messages that are relevant to them. Sunday Session is from 9-10 during the school year on most Sunday mornings in our education building. There is space to move around plus accessible seating in our pews. There is also a children’ s area to allow for movement breaks. The nursery is available for children to enjoy with their parent’s supervision.

We are located at 717 Chambers St. in Ottawa, Illinois nestled in a neighborhood on Ottawa’s south side. There are parking lots to the south of the building and to the north as well as the east side of the building. There is an elevator located in the sanctuary building that is at the east end of the walkway. The walkway connects the sanctuary to the education building.

This is a friendly community that will welcome you where you are at in your faith journey whether you have solid Christian beliefs or not. Hospitality is an important practice for us. Pastor is always eager to meet new people and learn about their faith perspectives to see how they might intersect with Christ’s mission of loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves. 

Meet Pastor Phillip

Having began his career as an elementary school teacher, Pastor Phil is passionate about learning new things and growing in faith. His love for Jesus is expressed throughout his ministry. Inclusion, social justice, spirituality, and education are important values to Pastor – which he strives to incorporate in his sermons, Bible studies, book clubs, and in interactions with others. He is a graduate from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and he lives with his spouse, Jay, and their Great Pyrenees. A meaningful quote that inspires him: “If it is not about love, it is not about God.” (Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry).

“We love because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

Community

We believe it is important to engage with others in the community and also a lot of fun. “They will know that we are Christians by our love.”

History

One evening in the fall of 1892, 15 Norwegian immigrants met in a schoolhouse belonging to the German Lutheran Church located on Ottawa’s west side. In the spirit of determination and enterprise that characterized Ottawa at the time they were emboldened to organize a congregation.

Through the years Trinity has grown from modest beginnings. A debt of gratitude is owed to the early members of Trinity for their strength of spirit and dedication. From the 15 original members Trinity now has 208 families. From humble beginnings in a rented schoolhouse to a future bright with hope and promise, Trinity has become a leader in Christian influence throughout Ottawa and beyond.

Ways To Get Involved At Worship

You are always welcome here.