Who we are

HISTORY

Trinity Presbyterian Church came from a small country Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) church that had just held a 150th anniversary celebration in 1992. The majority of the Trinity congregation had faithfully attended that particular church most of their lives. Under the Biblical teaching of Pastor Rick Steele for close to 20 years, the congregation became increasingly dissatisfied with the direction of the PCUSA denomination.

Proper procedures were taken under a Presbytery Commission to discuss whether a majority of members desired to leave the PCUSA and seek affiliation with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). When a vote was taken, the needed percentage was less than the elders had deemed necessary. At that time the Presbytery Commission took action against the pastor and all but one elder because of their refusal to seek to ordain women as elders. Those men peacefully resigned. But to this end came the beginning of Trinity Presbyterian Church.

The very next Sunday, August 29th, 1993, these men, along with approximately 120 others from that congregation, worshipped together in the rented facilities of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Aledo. Since the leadership was still in tact, the transition went smoothly ahead. Trinity later voted to become a mission church under the PCA and months of membership classes began. During this time, some families felt that certain doctrines of the Reformed Faith were not acceptable to them. We have grieved at these losses, but our friendships and love for Christ have not been severed.

On May 22nd, 1994, the congregation rejoiced together as 56 adults became the first members to join Trinity Presbyterian Church. At this point Pastor Steele felt that his ministry had come to an end and it was time for new and fresh leadership. A Pastoral Search Committee then began to search for a new pastor.

Trinity Church became a particular congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) on September 18th, 1994. Joel McCrory, John Roth, Norman Brown and Steve Blick were elected as the first ruling elders. Pastor Steele preached his last message at the end of October that year.

Pastor John Herberich preached at the church on November 13th, 1994 and was called by a unanimous vote to be the pastor. He and his wife and five children moved to Aledo in January 1995. It was a surprising discovery to learn that at the time Trinity was leaving the PCUSA denomination, Pastor Herberich was leaving the Evangelical Free denomination and going to seminary to move in to the PCA. Both pastor and congregation were being prepared for their future.

Pastor Herberich served Trinity until May 2001, when he and his family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and another pastoral search committee was formed.

In July of that year, while on vacation with family in northern Illinois, Pastor Daren Dietmeier and his wife, Jan, visited Aledo and Trinity Church, preached the sermon that Sunday, and administered the Lord’s Supper. After further discussions with the pastoral search committee, Pastor Dietmeier applied for the pastoral position, and following a candidating visit in late August, was unanimously called as Trinity’s third pastor. He assumed the position on November 1st, 2001, and was installed on Sunday, November 18th, 2001.

Our congregation has been blessed to receive the strong Biblical teaching that is very important to our spiritual growth. Many families have driven long distances to attend Trinity, as it is the only PCA church in this area of Illinois. Other people have been drawn to join Trinity because of the strong Biblical preaching and the PCA’s stand on leadership.

Trinity has in its congregation families with young children and those with children in college, some widows, retired couples and those whose families are grown. Our oldest member died just weeks before his 100th birthday.

Just like the history of the world, there have been battles and will continue to be battles. Through all of this, the message has never been said “God this is what we want to do so bless us.” Rather, “God, what is your will, please lead.” Our leadership may change, our life circumstances may change but to God be the Glory, He does not change!