About Holy Trinity · Bloomington, Illinois
Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a historic parish in Bloomington, Illinois, established in 1853 by Bishop of Chicago with Fr. Bernard O'Hara as its first pastor. The parish is linked with Historic St. Patrick Catholic Church (est. 1892) and the two share a pastor, parochial vicar, deacons, and staff. Today Holy Trinity is part of the Diocese of Peoria and is served by Fr. Steven Loftus (pastor) and Fr. Bowan Schmitt (parochial vicar), with deacons Joe Knapp and Al Lundy assisting. The parish offers daily Mass, weekend Masses, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, OCIA, faith formation, Confirmation prep, altar service, lectors, choirs, and a Catholic cemetery — carrying on more than 170 years of Catholic life in downtown Bloomington.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (the Most Holy Trinity)
- Rector
- Fr. Steven Loftus
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
Holy Trinity is the oldest Catholic parish in Bloomington, rooted in 1853 and still thriving on its original downtown block at Main and Chestnut. Visitors are welcomed by active ushers and greeters, can worship at weekend Masses with a live-streamed Sunday Mass, and can grow in faith through OCIA, two-year Confirmation prep, altar serving, lectors, two parish choirs, and CCD faith formation. Daily Mass, regular Confession times, and Eucharistic Adoration (in church and at the Parish Center) make the parish a true center of prayer and sacramental life for McLean County.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7:00 AM
- Saturday: 3:00–3:45 PM
Adoration times
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7:00 AM (in Holy Trinity Church)
- Friday: 7:00 AM (in church)
- Friday: 2:00–4:00 PM (at Holy Trinity Parish Center, across Main Street)
Parish History
Holy Trinity Parish was established in November 1853 when the Bishop of Chicago appointed Fr. Bernard O'Hara as the first pastor. The first church was a renovated Methodist church on Olive near Main, dedicated under the title of The Holy Name of Jesus. The parish grew alongside the Illinois Central and Chicago & Alton railroads, drawing German and Irish Catholic immigrants to Bloomington-Normal. In 1858 a school for boys was built in the 800 block of North Main Street, and in 1863 the St. Joseph convent was constructed. A tornado destroyed an unfinished building, and because it was uninsured, recovery was long and difficult. In July 1878 Bishop John Spalding dedicated the new church at the corner of Main and Chestnut — the parish's present home. Msgr. S. N. Moore published a centennial history in 1952, and the parish was recognized by the Illinois State Historical Society's Sesquicentennial Church Awards Program for 150+ years of continuous operation.
- Founded November 1853 by Bishop of Chicago
- First pastor: Fr. Bernard O'Hara
- Present church at Main & Chestnut dedicated July 1878 by Bishop John Spalding
- First school for boys (1858) and St. Joseph convent (1863)
- Centennial history by Msgr. S. N. Moore published 1952
- Illinois Sesquicentennial Church Award (150+ years of continuous ministry)
Clergy & Staff
Holy Trinity and Historic St. Patrick share a pastoral team. Fr. Steven Loftus serves as Pastor and Fr. Bowan Schmitt as Parochial Vicar, with Deacon Joe Knapp and Deacon Al Lundy assisting. The parish staff includes Dr. Cody Parrott (Director of Music at Holy Trinity), Michael Lieder (Choir Director for the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass at Historic St. Patrick), David Liptak (Director of Evangelization & Discipleship), Lucy Reynolds (CCD Coordinator), Cyndy Garwood (Administrative Assistant), Joan Davis (Accounting & Bookkeeping), Becky Vannatta (Bookkeeping), Ellen Schroeder (Cemetery Manager), and Jim Sallen (Maintenance).
- Fr. Steven Loftus — Pastor (ext. 230)
- Fr. Bowan Schmitt — Parochial Vicar (ext. 228)
- Deacon Joe Knapp
- Deacon Al Lundy
- David Liptak — Director of Evangelization & Discipleship
- Dr. Cody Parrott — Director of Music, Holy Trinity
- Michael Lieder — Choir Director, Historic St. Patrick
- Lucy Reynolds — CCD Coordinator
- Ellen Schroeder — Cemetery Manager
- Cyndy Garwood — Administrative Assistant
- Joan Davis & Becky Vannatta — Accounting & Bookkeeping
- Jim Sallen — Maintenance
Faith Formation & OCIA
The Order of Catholic Initiation of Adults (OCIA) meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Parish Center in a 'come and see' format, beginning August 13, 2025 and extending into April 2026. Clergy and lay presenters offer ordered, structured teaching about the Catholic faith so that seekers can make an unhurried, informed, and free decision to be baptized at Easter. Already-Catholics whose prayer life has grown lukewarm are also welcome to attend some or all sessions.
- OCIA Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM at the Parish Center
- Run August 13, 2025 through April 2026
- Baptism at Easter for those who discern the call
- Contact: David Liptak, Director of Discipleship
Confirmation Preparation
The parish describes Confirmation as making us 'His soldier' and giving us the courage to witness to the Catholic faith in the public forum. Youth prepare through a two-year process beginning in 7th grade, either through Corpus Christi Catholic School or the Wednesday evening Faith Formation classes. Adults who have not yet been confirmed should contact the pastor, Fr. Loftus, or David Liptak, Director of Discipleship.
- Two-year Confirmation preparation
- Begins in 7th grade
- Through Corpus Christi Catholic School or Wednesday Faith Formation
- Adult Confirmation: contact Fr. Loftus or David Liptak
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy as Ushers and Greeters, Altar Servers, Lectors, and choir members. Ushers and Greeters greet parishioners, open doors, take up the collection, help the gift-bearers, and hand out bulletins after Mass. Altar Servers (3rd grade through senior year, having made First Communion) are needed for Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses. Lectors proclaim the Word of God with reverence, good volume, and distinct pronunciation. Two music programs accompany the weekend Masses — Dr. Cody Parrott directs music for the Holy Trinity Sunday Mass, and Mr. Michael Lieder directs the Historic St. Patrick Sunday Mass choir.
- Ushers & Greeters — contact Deacon Joe Knapp
- Altar Servers (3rd grade through senior year) — contact Deacon Al Lundy
- Lectors — contact Deacon Al Lundy
- Holy Trinity Choir — Dr. Cody Parrott
- Historic St. Patrick Choir — Michael Lieder
Schools & Cemetery
Children of the parish attend Corpus Christi Catholic School, the school listed for Holy Trinity on the Diocese of Peoria's parish directory. Beyond the parish school, the Faith Formation (CCD) program, led by Coordinator Lucy Reynolds, meets on Wednesday evenings for parish children. The parish also maintains a Catholic cemetery managed by Ellen Schroeder, who can be reached through the parish office.
- Corpus Christi Catholic School (Diocese of Peoria listing)
- Wednesday evening CCD / Faith Formation
- CCD Coordinator: Lucy Reynolds
- Catholic Cemetery — Manager: Ellen Schroeder (309-829-2197 ext. 229)
Linked Parish: Historic St. Patrick
Holy Trinity is formally linked with Historic Saint Patrick Catholic Church, established as a parish in 1892 and located at 1209 W. Locust Street in Bloomington — the parish that grew 'west of the railroad tracks.' The two parishes share clergy, deacons, and staff. St. Patrick offers Mass Saturday at 5:00 PM (live-streamed, with Confessions 4:15–4:45 PM) and Sunday at 8:00 AM. Adoration there is held Tuesday from 4:15 to 5:00 PM.
- Established 1892 at 1209 W. Locust Street
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 PM (live-streamed)
- Sunday Mass: 8:00 AM
- Confessions: Saturday 4:15–4:45 PM
- Adoration: Tuesday 4:15–5:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bernard O'Hara1853–
First pastor, appointed by the Bishop of Chicago at the parish's founding in November 1853.
- Rev. Michael Cahill
Successor pastor, listed in Msgr. Moore's 1952 parish history.
- Rev. Patrick Sherry
Successor pastor, listed in Msgr. Moore's 1952 parish history.
- Rev. Thomas Kennedy
Successor pastor, listed in Msgr. Moore's 1952 parish history.
- Rev. Thomas O'Gara
Successor pastor, listed in Msgr. Moore's 1952 parish history.
- Rev. P. Duhig
Successor pastor, listed in Msgr. Moore's 1952 parish history.
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. S. N. Moore
Author of the 1952 centennial History of Holy Trinity Parish, Bloomington, Illinois.
- Fr. Matthew Deptula
Listed as Administrator of Holy Trinity in the Illinois Sesquicentennial Church Awards Program application.