Mission work in the Marseilles area was started by Rev. Hermon F. Fruechtenicht, who was serving as pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa, Illinois. After several years of mission work among the German immigrants in Marseilles, they were ready to form their own congregation. As a result, Trinity Lutheran Church, Marseilles, Illinois began officially as a congregation in 1866. It wasn’t until 1891, however, that Trinity was able to purchase and have its own building when they purchased the Methodist church in 1891 for $775.00. Trinity was still being served by the pastor of Zion Lutheran in Ottawa and would continue to do so until 1921 when its first residential pastor was called.

As with most congregation of what is now the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, Trinity Lutheran Church was comprised of German immigrants and so the worship services were held in the German language. Over time and especially with the pressures of being German during World War I, worship services in English were first introduced in 1914. German services, however, would continue to be offered until 1937.

The next major change in the history of Trinity Lutheran Church, was when the church building was completely destroyed by fire in 1961. The cause of the fire was unknown and it presented a great challenge to the people of Trinity.