About Us - Trinity Lutheran Church:"Historic Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in 1842 by German immigrants who settled in the Horse Prairie community of Southern Illinois. They built the first church in 1844. The present facility was dedicated in 1868.
Among the pastors who have faithfully served this congregation is Pastor Martin Stephan. Stephan, born August 13, 1777 in Stramberg, Moravia, is considered to be the "first Lutheran bishop in North America." Serving as a Lutheran pastor in Dresden, Germany, Stephan became the leader of the Saxon Immigration to Perry County, Missouri in 1839. He was called to Trinity in the Fall of 1845 and served as the first resident pastor, living in the church. He served this congregation until his death February 26, 1846. He was among the first to be laid to rest in Trinity's cemetery. The present marker was erected in 1988."
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| Stephan's main mistress joined him in Red Bud, after the Walther mob threatened him, robbed him of his gold, land, books, and personal possessions. The stolen books, land, and gold made the future LCMS solvent, Walther a hero. Stephan left his wife in Germany. |
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