Pardon our dust. We are working on developing a new website for Trinity Lutheran Church. As we do so, you will see a simplified version of the website as we build something fresh.

Welcome to
Trinity Lutheran Church!

Trinity Lutheran Church has been in Ottawa, Illinois over 125 years. We are an inclusive congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in the Northern Illinois Synod. All are welcome!

Our Beliefs

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. 

Our 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.