“I’m with you all the way!” That’s what God whispered to Matt Sweetman. These words sparked the beginning of Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Trinity Presbyterian Church started as Destination Church. Matt and his wife Heather moved to Chicago in April 2009. They wanted to create New Testament style churches. The church began in a living room on the north side. Others in the city quickly joined them.
During the first summer, they spread the word. In September 2009, Destination moved to a cafe near the Addison Brown Line. Public Sunday morning services began. The goal was to grow the core group. They wanted to launch officially. After six months, the church needed more space.
In February 2010, Sunday meetings shifted to ComedySportz Theatre. It was near the Belmont ‘L’ Station in Lakeview. Destination had a soft launch on Easter Sunday 2010. They built momentum toward a larger launch in the fall.
By the end of the next summer, ComedySportz Theatre was full. It was time to move again. On August 28, 2011, Destination started meeting at Inter-American Magnet School in Wrigleyville. This venue had larger spaces for children’s activities. It also offered a bigger auditorium for Sunday gatherings.
In October 2018, Destination Church became Trinity Church. The name change aimed to broaden its impact in Chicago.
In January 2019, Trinity Church found its current home. The building is at 1244 W Thorndale Ave in Edgewater. This location helps Trinity further its mission. They want to plant more churches. They want to share the grace of Jesus with Chicago.
Trinity Church also gathers in midweek Small Groups. These meetings happen in addition to the Sunday services. It has been an exciting journey.
Matt Sweetman, the lead pastor, was born in Brighton, England in 1979. As a teenager, he felt a strong connection with God. He wanted to share about Jesus. He preached in his school and held prayer meetings. Some of his friends found faith. Later, he felt a calling for church ministry but wasn’t sure how it would work out.
He met his wife at a youth camp in Missouri. After losing touch for three years, they reconnected in England. They married and became involved in youth ministry. He also pursued a marketing career. He completed theological training.
God spoke to him about starting Trinity Church. Despite a successful career, he felt something was missing. With the support of his wife Heather and their four children, Matt followed God’s call. He left his marketing job in Kansas City. He went to St. Louis for church planting training. God had planned for them to be in Chicago to start Trinity Church. Trinity Presbyterian Church invites you to visit. See what God is building.