Trinity United Church of Christ has been a part of Deerfield's faith community since 1875, when St. Paul's Evangelical Church was organized by 23 Deerfield families. For many years, services were held in both German and English, reflecting the heritage of those early Deerfield residents. In 1959, St. Paul's joined with St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church of Highland Park to form Trinity United Church of Christ. In 1962, we moved to our new church campus on the north side of Deerfield. We enjoy a beautiful and pastoral landscape that we now share with our Montessori partners, Deerfield Montessori School.
Today, we are a small but progressive congregation. We believe in Extravagant Welcome. This is why we insist that God's communion table is open, not closed, and that God's gift and claim in baptism are irrevocable. We advocate justice for all. Our congregation extends hospitality as a sign of God's inclusive love. We teach that evangelism — offering bread to those in search of it — is God's mission. Our perspective is global, not provincial. We work with — not against — people of other faiths. Why? Because God is still speaking.
Never place a period where God has placed a comma. We believe the church's mission is to change lives — individually, systemically and globally. We work to make transformation possible, but trust in God's grace. This is why we insist that churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning and advocacy. We are committed to working for justice, and we believe that lives are changed through global experiences and friendships. Why? Because God is still speaking.
We gather each Sunday morning to worship in prayer and song. We gather to hear preaching rooted in Scripture and relevant to the issues we face in our daily lives. We share our joys, concerns, and sorrows in worship. When we return home, it is with an inner peace, a full heart, and a renewed spirit.
We celebrate the sacrament of God's open communion table on the first Sunday of each month. All are welcome. Special Sundays such as Pentecost, and the Blessing of the Animals, enliven our worship. Special worship services, such as Maundy Thursday, mark important days and events for our congregation. Our children are our future. They occupy a special time in our worship and are an important part of our faith family.
