On Geneva Street on the north side of Racine, Wisconsin, Trinity Lutheran Church & School has been gathering English-speaking Lutherans around Word and Sacrament since 1905. A member congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Trinity calls itself "a family of believers created by God the Father, redeemed by Jesus the Christ, equipped by the Holy Spirit to confess, proclaim, and teach the Good News of God's love and grace." Each week, members and visitors meet at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and again on Sunday morning for the historic Divine Service, with Holy Communion served at nearly every service. Out the back door of the 1925 sanctuary, the school wing carries the same confession into the education of children from three-year-old preschool through eighth grade.
The Divine Service at the Heart of Trinity
The Divine Service stands at the center of Trinity's life together. "We are a community that gathers to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," the congregation teaches. "We gather together each week to receive the gifts that God has for us: the forgiveness of sins, eternal life and salvation." The service is drawn from the Lutheran Service Book and follows the historic liturgy of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
Trinity's two pastors, Pastor David Gehne and Pastor Stephen Jennings, take turns in the pulpit every other week. Each brings his own style of presentation, and both take the craft of preaching seriously. Worship is supported by a full music program under Music Director Becky Fick, who serves as organist and music specialist, and by directors of children's choir and handbell choirs.
The Lord's Supper is celebrated at every regular service with one exception: the second Sunday of the month at the 10:30 a.m. service is a "Family Service" without Communion. Both the individual cup and the common cup are offered for the wine, and the center of the individual-cup tray holds water with just a drop of wine for those on medication that reacts with alcohol or with a history of alcoholism.
Saturday Evenings: A Relaxed Setting
For those whose weekends run differently, Trinity gathers on Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. all year round. The Saturday service uses the same general order of worship as Sunday, but with what the congregation calls a "relaxed" feel. The liturgy and musical accompaniment were written by the late Peter Klemp, who taught band and choir at Racine Lutheran High School, and the service is generally led by piano rather than organ, with the exception of the Easter Vigil. Pastors wear suits with clerical collars - the black shirt with the white tab - rather than vestments. Communion is part of the Saturday service.
"There may be some occasions where we announce that this service is cancelled," the church notes, "but those situations are rare - like Christmas Day falling on a Saturday and we have service in the morning." Thanksgiving Day worship is at 9:00 a.m., Christmas Eve services are at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m., and Christmas Day worship is at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Mornings Through the Seasons
From September 1 through May 31, two Sunday services are held, at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., with adult Bible class and public school confirmation at 9:15 a.m. From June 1 through August 31, a single service is held at 9:00 a.m. with no Bible class during the summer. Adult Confirmation classes run for ten weeks beginning in mid-June for those preparing to join the congregation.
The congregation follows the church year in its choice of service settings. During Advent and Lent, more reflective seasons, Trinity uses Divine Service III (the historic settings formerly printed on pages 5 and 15 of The Lutheran Hymnal), and the Hymn of Praise is omitted. During Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter, Divine Service I is used with its more upbeat tone and the extended Hymn of Praise. During the non-festival half of the year, the Pentecost season, Divine Service II is the standard setting.
Close Communion
Trinity observes the LCMS practice of close Communion. In the words of the congregation: "In the Lord's Supper, Jesus says, 'This is my body; This is my blood.' We cannot fully grasp this mystery, but faithfully trust Him that in this Sacrament we receive Christ's body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of our faith." Because Trinity members share a common confession of faith, those who have not yet been instructed in the Lutheran confession, or who have questions about the Sacrament, are asked to refrain from communing until they have spoken with one of the pastors. Visitors are warmly welcomed to worship; Communion is reserved for those who share the confession.
Founded in 1905: "The Father's Faith in the Children's Language"
Trinity's story begins in the summer of 1904. Two children were confirmed in an English service at St. John's German Lutheran Church in Racine, and four men - Walter E. Moe, John H. Phillips, Frank G. White, and August Balzer - who had been instructed for more than a year, desired to join the Lutheran Church. Under the guidance of St. John's pastor, Dr. J. F. Boerger, they decided the time had come to organize an English mission congregation on the north side of Racine. Their vision was simple and enduring: "The Father's Faith in the Children's Language."
Two earlier efforts to find a missionary pastor had failed before a call was extended to the Rev. Frederick C. Eseman of Coal City, Illinois. On January 15, 1905, in a service at St. John's Lutheran Church, Rev. Eseman was installed as English Missionary for Racine. He preached his first sermon on Sunday evening, February 5, 1905, in St. John's Church. On the same evening, John Phillips was baptized and confirmed, and Walter Moe, Frank White, and August Balzer were confirmed by Rev. Boerger. On February 14, Mr. Philips, Mr. White, and Mr. Moe met with Rev. Eseman at his home at 1828 Green Street and formally organized Trinity English Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
The mission congregation held its English services in St. John's Church for about a year before drafting plans for a building of its own. In the spring of 1906, ground was broken at the corner of Milwaukee Avenue (now Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Drive) and Albert Street. The cornerstone was laid on May 20, 1906, and the new church - constructed and furnished at a cost of $7,500 - was dedicated on September 9, 1906. Over the next several years new furnishings, stained glass windows, and a pipe organ were added.
Building the Geneva Street Church
By the time Trinity was less than fifteen years old, the original building was no longer adequate for church, Sunday school, and day school combined. On October 19, 1919, the Expansion Committee announced the purchase of the present-day Geneva Street property. In the fall of 1924, the original Milwaukee Avenue property was sold to another church body, and steps were taken to rebuild.
Ground was broken for the new church building on September 9, 1924. The cornerstone was laid on November 23, 1924, and the building where Trinity continues to worship today was dedicated to God's service on July 12, 1925. During the following year and a half, the parsonage was constructed, followed by the school.
The campus has continued to grow with the congregation. A preschool wing was built in 2000 to serve the youngest students. An elevator and additional fellowship space were added to serve members better. In 2017, a new HVAC system updated the heating and added air conditioning to the church and school. A recent renovation of the Sanctuary brought modern amenities to the worship space while maintaining its classic style.
Six Pastors Across 120 Years
Trinity has been served by six pastors since 1905. The Rev. Frederick C. Eseman, the founding missionary, served from 1905 to 1948. Pastor Ernst Jehn followed from 1948 to 1972. Pastor Daniel Heinert served from 1972 to 2003, and Pastor Patrick Bayens served from 1978 to 1988. Pastor Stephen Jennings accepted Trinity's call in late 1988, becoming the longest-serving pastor in Trinity's history, and Pastor David Gehne arrived in 2004 as vicar and then associate pastor, becoming Trinity's fifth senior pastor in November 2018.
Pastor David Gehne, Fifth Senior Pastor
Pastor Gehne's path to the pulpit began in Maryland, where he was born to German immigrant parents and baptized and confirmed at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in Arbutus. He attended Valparaiso University, earning a degree in marketing with a minor in theology, and met his wife Mary there. They began their married life in Madison, where David worked for Lands' End. The couple also served on the first LCMS volunteer mission team to St. Petersburg, Russia, and later assisted with the launch of a new Lands' End business in England.
With three sons, David enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, where he also worked half-time as a project manager for Concordia Publishing House. He began serving at Trinity as vicar in 2004 and accepted the Divine Call as associate pastor in 2005. In November 2018, he became Trinity's fifth senior pastor. The family enjoys camping, traveling, and "elaborate building with Legos." Pastor Gehne points to Romans 12:12 - "Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be constant in prayer" - as a picture of the Christian life.
Pastor Stephen Jennings, 36 Years and Counting
Pastor Jennings knew by the age of sixteen that he wanted to be a pastor. Born at Fort Gordon, Georgia, where his Army parents were stationed, he grew up in Hazel Park, Michigan. He attended Concordia University Ann Arbor, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in religion, then continued at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
His vicarage was served at St. John Lutheran Church and School in Ocala, Florida, where he preached every week at a local mission congregation established by St. John's. He met his wife Jan there - she was St. John's fourth-grade teacher at the time. After graduation, Pastor Jennings served Redeemer Lutheran Church in Auburn, New York, for three years before accepting Trinity's call in late 1988. He has taught confirmation, led weekly Bible studies, visited the hospitalized and housebound, prepared sermons, and preached at Trinity ever since.
Pastor Jennings teaches the Sunday-morning Revelation Bible class at Trinity. He and Jan have a son, David, and a daughter, Kristen, both in Green Bay, with three grandchildren named Grace, Luke, and Izzy. Outside the parish, he enjoys cooking on one of his six grills or flattops and watching Netflix with Jan. His confidence rests in John 10:27-28: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
Studying the Scriptures Together
Around the weekly worship schedule, Trinity gathers several groups for Bible study. Adult Bible Class meets Wednesday mornings at 9:15 a.m., and Evening Bible Class meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., reviewing the lessons for the following weekend's worship. On the Sundays when Pastor Jennings is not preaching, he teaches the Revelation Bible Class at 9:15 a.m.
A Men's Bible Study meets Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at Douglas Diner, 5121 Douglas Avenue, Racine, where men gather around the table for fellowship and study. A Women's Bible Study, led by Lynn Morgenson and Lynne Nelson, meets Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. as an eight-week study group "to grow in faith, deepen our understanding of God's Word and encourage one another through the joys and challenges of life."
Joining the Trinity Family
Becoming a member of Trinity begins with attendance at worship. "After the service," the congregation explains, "introduce yourself to one of the pastors and share that you are interested in membership." Those already confirmed in a Lutheran church can ask for a transfer from their home congregation. Those who have not been confirmed enroll in one of Trinity's membership classes, usually held in the fall and running eight to twelve weeks. After a transfer has been received or confirmation completed and a membership information form submitted, the person becomes a member.
Trinity stresses regular worship and the Lord's Supper as the foundation of the Christian life. Members who have not communed for a year and have not worshipped may be considered "self-removed" from membership, but the path back is simple: "Keep on coming to church. Keep on taking the Lord's Supper."
Trinity Lutheran School: Three-Year-Olds through Eighth Grade
Trinity Lutheran School shares the same address and the same confession as the church. "Upon graduating from Trinity Lutheran School," the school states, "your children will possess two clearly identifiable traits. First, they will truly understand what it is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all creation. Second, they will possess a wide range of academic understanding, skills and knowledge."
The school serves children from the three-year-old preschool classroom (K3) through eighth grade. Christian instruction is not only carried out formally but integrated into every subject, with teachers, administrators, and pastors whose presence itself is meant to be a testimony to the Christian faith and the Lutheran manner of expressing it.
Families of students are expected not to act in ways contrary to or disruptive of the teachings of the school in matters of religious faith and personal conduct. Trinity Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students. The school participates in the State of Wisconsin Racine Private School Choice Program (RPCP), welcoming applications during open enrollment from February through August.
Applications for admission are accepted in this order: children of families currently enrolled in Trinity, member children of the congregation, member children of other LCMS congregations, families of the Racine community, and Choice families during open enrollment. Admission proceeds through a request for information, a family interview with the principal, a pastoral introduction meeting, submission of an enrollment application through TADS, and provision of records. All new students are enrolled on a probationary period for up to ninety days.
The Faculty
Principal Pamela Amling has served in Lutheran schools since 1987, teaching grades K3 through 8 in urban Milwaukee and in Illinois communities. She attended Concordia University Chicago for her bachelor's degree in education and Concordia University Mequon for her master's in administration. She has served as a principal and administrator since 1997 and leads Trinity since 2016, encouraging staff to use their God-given talents in service to students. A passionate Chicago Cubs fan from Illinois, she leans on Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
The classroom teachers include Sam Hansen (K3), Kristen Fox (K4), Sarah Weir (K5), Ann Flick and Amanda Marcado (K5 aides), Barb Struck (1st grade), Amy Jung (1st grade aide), Amanda Weil (2nd grade), Jill Hasseldahl (3rd grade), Ann Burke and Alissa Burke (3rd grade aides), Rachel Meyer (4th grade), David Zuberbier (5th grade and middle-school math), Sam Gmirek (6th grade and middle-school ELA), Chris Schult (7th grade and science), and Chris Struck (8th grade). Megan Seager serves as Early Childhood Program Support, Nicole Holub as lunchroom staff and aide, Lisa Lendvay as lunchroom staff, and Natalie Pike in the kitchen. Anjelica Johnston divides her time between administrative support and ELA support.
Athletic Director Jake Blazei, a Concordia University Wisconsin graduate with a bachelor's in business and a focus in sports management, teaches physical education to K5 through eighth grade and offers health classes to middle-schoolers. Custodial support is provided by Richard Hansen, Dianne Chase, and Dominic Lupo. Pam Huth serves as a K3 aide.
Music, Choir, and the Band Program
Music Director Becky Fick, a Concordia University Nebraska graduate with a Lutheran teaching degree majoring in music and minoring in speech and drama, also holds a master's in education, curriculum, and instruction with a music emphasis from Michigan State. She has performed and toured with several choirs and served often as a soloist, including a world mission tour with Concordia University's A Cappella Choir. Mrs. Fick serves as music director, music specialist, and organist at Trinity, with prior service at Concordia Lutheran in Sturtevant and Redeemer Lutheran in Racine.
Rachel Meyer directs the first- through fourth-grade choir and the middle-school handbell choir in addition to teaching fourth grade. A Concordia University Chicago graduate with degrees in both elementary and music education, she has served in Lutheran schools in California, Illinois, and Iowa, and was a missionary teacher in Taiwan and Uganda for seven years. She is certified in First Steps in Music, Conversational Solfege, and Orff Levels I and II.
Art teacher Jess Lohnhardt, a UW-Parkside graduate and Racine Lutheran High School alumna, integrates Lutheran faith principles into art instruction and is inspired by James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above." The band program is led by Amber Hozey, who earned degrees from Culver-Stockton College and Northwestern University and has performed with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and Chicago Wind Symphony.
The Warrior Athletic Tradition
Trinity Lutheran School supports a Warrior athletic tradition that includes boys' basketball, girls' volleyball, track and field, cheerleading, and cross country. Jake Blazei serves as athletic director and coaches alongside other staff and parent volunteers. The school's Athletic Handbook and sports physical form are kept on file for participating students.
Reaching Out in Racine
Trinity's ministry to the wider Racine community includes hosting community meals for the homeless and supporting the Women's Alliance Clinic. The congregation describes itself as "a welcoming environment for newcomers to Racine seeking a faith-based community," and the Divine Service - together with the school - is intended to be the primary way that Trinity shares the Good News of God's love and grace in the neighborhood around Geneva Street.
Coming to Trinity
Trinity Lutheran Church and School sits at 2065 Geneva Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53402, with parking in back. The church office can be reached at (262) 632-2900 and the school office at (262) 632-1766. Saturday Worship is at 5:00 p.m. year-round; Sunday worship is at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. from September through May and at 9:00 a.m. from June through August. A sermon archive is available on the church's YouTube channel, and giving is accepted online. Visitors are warmly welcomed.