First Lutheran Church of the Trinity was founded in 1865 as the first Lutheran church on Chicago’s south side. For the past two decades, this church has been known in the neighborhood as a place that provides necessary services and unique programs to the community. Ministries have included a free clothing center, community meals, The Orphanage performance space, Trinity House, and Midwest Books to Prisoners, and these ministries have served countless people from the church’s properties. Through these ministries, First Trinity has shared the love of Christ by providing spiritual, community, and essential services to those in need, asking nothing in return.
Despite this history of service in Bridgeport, a permanent church closure date of June 30th has been set by the church synod, primarily because of physical repairs that are necessary to the church and its two associated buildings: a former parsonage house on the same lot as the church, and on an adjacent lot, a former Lutheran school, now in disrepair. The situation for the church building is complicated by the failing steam heating system in the school basement, which was designed to heat both the church and the school. For long-term preservation of this church and its ministries, this former school building will eventually be put up for sale. Before that sale can take place, however, stop-gap funding is needed to disconnect the failing and antiquated steam heating system from the church, install a modern heating and cooling system in it, correct other code violations, and make tuckpointing repairs to the church steeple.
First Trinity’s sanctuary at the corner of 31st and Lowe is historically significant. The altar, its carved wooden Jesus, and elaborate stained-glass windows are rare surviving articles of religious art from the turn of the 20th century. These all would be at risk should the church close and stand vacant for any amount of time.
The situation facing this beautiful and important historic structure is dire, and we humbly seek your financial support to help reach this fundraising goal, so that the church’s heating and cooling needs and other building code violations can be addressed, and so the steeple can be tuckpointed. Securing the steeple will allow removal of the scaffolding that has made the church look abandoned and uninviting for the past few years and will restore this landmark on 31st Street to its former glory.
The eventual sale of the school building to a party who can restore it or demolish it will allow for the full restoration of the church building and former parsonage, which can be used to house the church office and provide space for the church’s various ministries. The service of this church and its place in the community will then be secured for the long term.
To pave the way for this long-term solution, however, the failing steam heating system must be disconnected from the church, and a modern heating and cooling system must be installed, allowing the church and school properties to exist independently. With tuckpointing of the steeple and the new heating and cooling system installed, this 158-year old church community can continue its ministry of helping people and sharing the Gospel on the south side of Chicago, and the significant and unique architectural features of the church will be protected. Thankfully, a new roof was installed on the church about ten years ago, so with a new heating and cooling system and a repaired steeple, this historic sanctuary can continue to stand on 31st Street as a testament to God’s love for years to come.
People have been flocking to Bridgeport in recent years because of the neighborhood’s old-fashioned charm. The neighborhood is gentrifying, and Old Bridgeport is rapidly disappearing. If the church and parsonage residence are brought into good repair and into compliance with city codes, this historic property and the services it provides in Bridgeport will be saved. The current restoration project of the long-shuttered Ramova Theater proves that residents care about local history and are willing to invest in keeping the character of Bridgeport alive. If this fundraising goal is not reached, however, the church has no option but to dissolve, and this historic church and its associated structures will likely fall into the hands of developers with other interests in mind.
Our community has faced challenges post-pandemic, but we choose to walk by faith and not by sight. First Trinity has survived the depression, changing demographics, and so much more in its 150+ year history. For those interested, there is fascinating account of the church’s history. Throughout church history, our faith has not wavered. Some believe that the synod’s rush to reach a closure vote at this point was unfair and intentionally timed, so the church would dissolve and this valuable real estate would change hands. Regardless of the motivation behind the impending closure, members have not given up hope.
If this story and place resonates with you, please give generously as you are able, and help save this unique and important church. First Trinity has touched countless souls through prayer, action, and ministry. With your help in funding these initial and very necessary upgrades, prior to the sale of the school building, First Lutheran Church of the Trinity can continue to shine as a beacon of hope in the Bridgeport neighborhood and as a light of God in the world.
