We follow Jesus Christ who taught us that the greatest commandment is to “Love God and love our neighbor”, and who declared to those who would follow him that we should, above all, “Love one another”. 

Our Purpose

United in God’s love and guided by God’s spirit, we exist to faithfully share God’s love with all and to serve all.

Our Mission

Our mission is to embody the love of Christ by welcoming all, actively serving those in need and by inspiring others to join us on our journey.  We do this through:
•            Worship that balances traditional and progressive theology.
•            Activities that empower people, enrich their lives, and help them grow in their faith.

Our Vision

Be an inclusive and vibrant community that, through its building, outreach, and missions, serves as a vital resource to the wider community.  And where through worship, service and other programming, an ever-increasing number of people explore, find, growth in and live out their faith.
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FUN FACTS

• ​Trinity Church was home to Collegeville's first movie theater, built in 1922 as part of an addition honoring Dr. Hendricks' 43 years of ministry.
• Over its 169-year history, Trinity Church has had only seven pastors, with three of them serving a combined total of more than 100 years.
• Five of the former Freeland Seminary families' homes now make up Ursinus College's "Residential Village": Maples, Fetterolf, Hobson, Schaff, and Fircroft.
• Until 1898, when Trinity Church got its own tower, the Ursinus College bell would ring for services and toll at funerals.
• Up until 2018, all of Trinity Church's pastors held diplomas from Ursinus College. 

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Read on for more detailed information!

THIS IS US: The Story of Trinity Reformed Church UCC, Collegeville

​Our Roots in Faith and Education

The story of Trinity Church, Collegeville, begins in the mid-1800s with Abraham Hunsicker, a visionary farmer who believed in the transformative power of learning and spiritual growth. He had three ambitious goals:

1. To provide education beyond the local elementary schools
2. To have an ordered church life and educated clergy
3. To have the Communion Table open to Christians baptized as infants as well as adults

Despite opposition from his ancestral Mennonite community, Abraham Hunsicker established Freeland Seminary for boys in 1848 and the Pennsylvania Female College for girls in 1853. These schools were funded by Abraham's lumber business in Philadelphia.

​The Birth of a Congregation

In 1854, with 35 adults gathered, Abraham Hunsicker organized a place of worship across the street from Freeland Seminary. On October 5, 1855, the congregation was officially established on land donated by Abraham, serving not only as a place of worship but also as an assembly hall and Sunday School for the seminary and college.

​The congregation, initially named "Christian Society," was to be a place of worship for all Christians, without denominational labels, prejudice, or bigotry. By 1861, under the leadership of its first full-time pastor, Joseph Hunsicker Hendricks, the congregation became "Trinity Christian Church."

​​Transition and Growth

The Civil War brought significant changes to the schools and the congregation. Many students and faculty from Freeland Seminary left to join the Union Army, leading to financial difficulties. In 1869, the seminary was sold to representatives of the Reformed Church in the United States, who founded Ursinus College and Theological School.
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Trinity Church continued to serve as the assembly hall and Sunday's religious education program for Ursinus. In 1888, under the leadership of Dr. Hendricks, the congregation requested membership in the Reformed Church. The relationship between the church and the college was so strong that until Bomberger Hall was built, assemblies, commencements, and religion department classes were held at Trinity.

​Serving the Community

Trinity Church has always been committed to serving the community. In 1922, an addition honoring Dr. Hendricks' 43 years of ministry was built to house community gatherings and the first movie theater in Collegeville. To this day, the church's facilities continue to serve the community in various ways.
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The congregation's commitment to the community is also evident in the "residential village" along Collegeville's Main Street. Several homes built by members of Trinity Church now house students and faculty of Ursinus College.

​​A Legacy of Inclusion and Empowerment

Throughout its history, Trinity Church has stood firm in its commitment to inclusivity. Our congregation has consistently shunned social pressures and defended against injustices, creating a welcoming haven for anyone to grow in their relationship with God without fear of judgment, condemnation, or retribution.

We have proudly banished prejudice from our House of Worship and spoken out for the rights of women, minorities, and other marginalized communities. In 2018, we extended this commitment to our LGBTQIA+ community, recognizing their need for a safe and nurturing environment to grow in their faith.

​Trinity Church also has a long history of empowering women in leadership roles. We called Reverend Martha Bean Kriebel as our pastor long before many other churches embraced female leadership, and today, we are proud to be led by yet another woman of faith, Rev. Suzanne Schwarz-Green.

​​Our Invitation to You

We invite you to join us on this incredible journey of faith, to be nourished in worship, to join together in mission, and - above all - to follow the example of Jesus. At Trinity Reformed Church, UCC, you will discover an inclusive community that celebrates diversity, cares for justice, and values spiritual growth. Come and experience the warmth, love, and acceptance that awaits you at Trinity, and let us walk together in the light of God's unwavering love

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