About Us
Learn more about Holy Trinity’s mission, beliefs, and how you can get involved
Foundational Text
“19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19
Mission, Vision, & Values
Fostering community where Christ feeds the hungry and sends the faithful…
… so all would know the depth of Jesus’s love and peace.
Worship
Community
One Another
Neighbors
Our Story
Founded in 1939, HTLC entered into the post-war era by constructing its building in 1948. A collection of local seminary professors from Wartburg Theological Seminary served in various capacities as early clergy in the church. The church’s earliest origins were that of community relationships with a neighboring nursing school, university, and seminary. Holy Trinity also committed to programs of the greater Lutheran Church, especially those supporting social services. These partnerships existed before the church was officially organized and long before the building was constructed.
Today, after nearly 90 years, Holy Trinity continues the deep commitment to a welcoming culture, living our faith beyond our doors, and engaging the community around us. We open our building to dozens of groups across countless organizations. We operate and facilitate programs and ministries that serve and show love for our neighbors. Hunger ministries endeavor to recognize and address food insecurity with dignity and respect. Noah’s Ark, our child development center founded in 1975, has grown dramatically over the past decade to reach a dire need in the community, serving primarily non-members with the highest quality of care regularly offering need based scholarships and accepting state assistance for our lower income families.
Holy Trinity recently adopted new mission, vision, and values statements. This process affirmed Holy Trinity’s long standing commitment to outward service. Our mission and vision: Fostering community where Christ feeds the hungry and sends the faithful, so that all would know the depth of Jesus’s love and peace.
Our Staff
Pastor Jason has been with HTLC since January of 2023, accepting a permanent call in September of that year. Previously he worked as a youth director, as an associate pastor, and as a mission development officer. He has a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary.
Pastor Jeanette started her call at HTLC in February 2025. She also works full-time as the Director of Admissions at Wartburg Theological Seminary, where she graduated with her Master of Divinity in 2022. Before seminary she worked in campus events at her alma mater, Concordia College, and has previous working in outdoor ministry at Luther Point Bible Camp.
Kate has been a member of HTLC since 2009, joining the staff in 2022. She has a business administration degree with a major in finance from the University of Iowa, previously worked as a financial analyst, and owned her own e-commerce business. Kate currently serves as the Vice President of the Northeast Iowa Synod.
A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Chuck earned a bachelor of arts degree at Carroll University, a master of arts degree at the University of Iowa, and the doctor of musical arts degree at the University of Kansas.
As an organist, he has performed throughout the United States and the World.
Dr. Barland is a professor of music and the organist at the University of Dubuque, as well as organist and choir director at St. Luke's United Methodist Church
Luke Tyler is a musician with over 20 years of church music leadership in ELCA, PCUSA, and Disciples congregations. He has earned master's and doctoral degrees in piano performance and performs regularly throughout the United States. Luke leads contemporary worship at Holy Trinity, where he plans and arranges musical selections for their 10:30 Alternative Worship.
Cathy has been a member of HTLC since 1981 and part of the staff since 1993.
She has a B.S. degree in Child Development and Family Relations from Southern
Illinois University and a B.A. degree in CIS/MIS from Clarke College. She has worked
with the elderly in Nursing Home settings and as a report compiler for HTLF. During
her time at HTLC she has worked in account payables, account receivables and payroll.
Mike Kelly is retired from a 30-year career at the cancer center as a radiation tech and administrator.
Jenifer has a degree in elementary education from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master’s Degree in educational administration from St. Ambrose University.
Jenifer is certified as the Director of a licensed childcare facility by the Iowa Department of Human Services. She taught for seven years before moving into the role of Director at Noah’s Ark in the summer of 2019.
Trey is a 2023 graduate of Augustana College. He completed two years of seminary at Wartburg Theological Seminary and has paused his studies to work with the children and youth of HTLC.
James is a life long member of HTLC, attends Dubuque Senior HIgh School, and is life rank scout with Troop 51.
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What We Believe
The Sacraments: God's Gifts for You.
We believe in Holy Baptism and Holy Communion as God’s freely given gifts for all who encounter them.
In Holy Baptism we are accepted, claimed, and assured that we belong to the Triune God no matter what. It is in that moment we are connected to the Body of Christ and given a new life in faith. Whether it’s for infants, children, or adults, our faith begins with Baptism-new life shared with us!
In Holy Communion we gather to be nourished by a meal of forgiveness shared in Jesus Christ. As Lutherans we speak of the real presence of Jesus found in bread and wine, meaning the grace of God is present forgiving us, renewing us, and leading us. Around the table we are united in our differences to share the freeing gift of this mysterious, yet common meal for all.
All Are Welcome.
We trust that all humans are made in the image of God, therefore the Body of Christ is diverse and beautiful because all are welcome. Whether you are new to faith or have grown up in the church, you deserve dignity as a child of God. We understand Jesus’s grace and life is for all people no matter your race, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, economic status, political leaning or any other qualifier. Come as you are and bring your gifts, because we believe there is a place for you in this community. We are better together.
The Living Word.
We refer to the Holy Scriptures as a “Living Word” trusting that the Holy Scriptures speak God’s truth throughout time, context, interpretation, and culture. It is not a static word, but is an active one, offering the world the revelation of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and the restorative Gospel that Jesus Christ has given his life so all would be redeemed. As a church that professes the creeds and worships with liturgical practices, our services are grounded in and around the Scripture that breathes life into us all.
Grace Upon Grace.
We live our lives in response to the great gift of grace that has been given to us in Jesus Christ. Through God’s action on the cross, we trust that we are loved despite our worst qualities–the things we do and the things we leave undone. We see that God in Jesus is willing to enter the depths of our sin, brokenness, and pain, and in exchange, offers life, love, and forgiveness. Through the resurrection on Easter Sunday, we see that Death doesn’t have the last word and Jesus shares this freeing gift of grace with us. All that’s left for us to do is to receive and trust this Good news that transforms us as people of faith!
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Holy Trinity is a member congregation of the Northeast Iowa Synod of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As the largest Lutheran church body in the United States, the ELCA is a welcoming inclusive Christian denomination rooted in God’s grace while dedicated to serving neighbors near and far.
