Built to Last: Trinity Pays Off Its Mortgage

Twenty years ago, this congregation made a bold decision. It committed to a new facility that could better support Trinity's ministry for a new generation. That decision has borne fruit year after year, in worship and formation, in hospitality and service, in every ministry that has needed a place to happen.

Shortly after Easter, we announced a special appeal to reduce the mortgage debt incurred by that project. We began the year owing roughly $817,000. Anticipating rising rates, we set an ambitious goal for ourselves: reduce the debt substantially, or eliminate it altogether. The Council designated $400,000 from our reserves as a matching grant and challenged the congregation to meet it with gifts beyond the annual stewardship campaign.

In less than eight weeks, you gave and pledged more than $400,000.

We were surprised and delighted, and we are so proud of what this congregation did together. On June 30, 2026, Trinity paid off its mortgage in full!

On the evening of Thursday, July 23, about fifty people gathered at Double Clutch Brewery in Evanston (photos below) for food, drink, and conversation. It was an evening of thanksgiving for all that has happened at Trinity and through Trinity because of a choice made two decades ago and a choice made again this spring.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Built to Last campaign. Thank you to everyone who contributes to Trinity in the countless other ways. And a special word of gratitude to Bill Stafford and Steve Meyer, who coordinated this campaign with care and persistence.

We enter the next chapter of our ministry able to align all our gifts and resources with the vision God has set before this congregation. Thanks be to God!