John Trefzger
60 years of Ministry
The Rev. Dr. John Dennis Trefzger was born in Peoria, IL on
September 4, 1923, the eldest child of C. J. "Joe" and
Dorothy Trockur Trefzger. He attended public schools in
Peoria, and worked part-time in his family's Trefzgers
Bakery during his high school and college days. He
participated in four varsity sports at Peoria Woodruff High
School, graduating as salutatorian of his class in 1941. He
attended Bradley University before World War II, where he
majored in chemistry and lettered in track for two years as
a distance runner. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in
1942, serving for 3 1/2 years as an engine specialist with
the rank of sergeant in the 4th Combat Cargo Group in India
and Burma.
He married Marilyn Wilson of Peoria,IL in Glen Oak Christian
Church on June 9, 1946. They have three sons: Dr. Richard
C., a General Surgeon (Nancy),and Robert T., a manager of
Research at State Farm Insurance Companies, (Connie) of
Bloomington, and James E., a Professor of Mathematics at
Parkland College, (Dorothy) of Champaign. They have six
grandchildren: Emily Campos (Magdiel), Sarah and Paul
Trefzger of Bloomington; Mike Trefzger of Hollywood CA, Amy
Trefzger, Hainesville, IL and John R. Trefzger formerly a
Marine in Iraq and now a student at ISU in Normal IL. There
are six great grandchildren.
Following World War II, Trefzger enrolled at Eureka College
as a pre-ministerial student, graduating magna cum laude in
1948. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Lexington
Theological Seminary, Kentucky, with honors in 1951. He has
an honorary doctorate from Eureka College and an earned
Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Theological
Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.
The Rev. Dr. Trefzger served as senior pastor of the
following churches: First Christian Church, Waukegan IL
(1951-1957); First Christian Church, Bloomington, IL (1957-
1973); First Christian Church, South Bend, IN (1973-1980);
First Christian Church, Bloomington, IN (1980-1983), when he
retired from pastoral ministry. In 1984 both John and
Marilyn were called to be Associate Regional Ministers of
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois and
Wisconsin, with offices at 1011 N. Main Street in
Bloomington, IL. They seryed in this capacity until both
retired at the close of 1988. In retirement Trefzger served
for 13 years in Naples, Florida as an RV Camp Chaplain and
was named Pastor Emeritus of the Naples KOA congregation.
For a number of years the Rev. Dr. Trefzger directed summer
conferences for high school youth of the Christian Church in
Illinois. He served for ten years on the Commission on the
Ministry for the Illinois Disciples of Christ, and eleven
years on the Commission on Evangelism. In 1959 he was
elected President of the Illinois Disciples Ministers
Fellowship, and in 1967 was named President of the Illinois
Disciples of Christ Convention, which was held in Decatur,
IL. From 1978 to 1982 he was chairman of the Ecumenical
Concerns Commission of the Christian Church in Indiana, and
Vice-Moderator of the Christian Church in Indiana, 1982-84.
Over a period of 27 years, 1951-1978, The Rev. Dr. Trefzger
served four six-year terms as a Trustee of Eureka College,
and was elected to seven one-year terms as President of the
Board.
On a national level of the Christian Church, he served for
14 years on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Year
Book Committee. He also served on the Home and State
Missions Planning Council and participated in various
capacities on a number of programs of the International
Convention and General Assembly of the Christian Church.
The Rev. Dr. Trefzger was a member of the Interfaith
Relations Committee of the World Convention of the Churches
of Christ in the 1970's.
Inter-denominationally, he served terms as President of the
Council of Churches and Ministerial Associations in both
Waukegan and Bloomington, IL. In Waukegan he had a weekly
radio program for several years called "Religion in the
News" which featured interdenominational cooperation among
the various churches on a national as well as world level.
He was a leader in numerous study programs relating to the
Consultation on Church Union (COCU) in the 1970'5.
For ten years The Rev. Dr. Trefzger played the role of the
Apostle John in the American Passion Play in Bloomington IL.
His membership in Rotary International began in 1962. The
Bloomington Rotary Club honored him in 1983 as a Paul Harris
Fellow. For many years he served on the McLean County
Welfare Committee, and for a number of years he served on
the executive committee of the McLean County United
Community Services. In 1971 he was the United Way fund
raising chairman. From 1971 to 1973 he was a member of the
Sister City Committee relating to Asahikawa, Japan.
In June of 1973 the Trefzgers led a group of 22 persons to
the Far East. It was the first group from Bloomington-
Normal to visit the Japanese Sister City since the program
began in 1962. John and Marilyn led numerous tours around
the world during the 1970's and 1980's.
In June of 1973 the Trefzgers led a group of 22 persons to
the Far East. It was the first group from Bloomington-
Normal to visit the Japanese Sister City since the program
began in 1962. John and Marilyn led numerous tours around
the world during the 1970's and 1980's.
In June of 1973 the Trefzgers led a group of 22 persons to
the Far East. It was the first group from Bloomington-
Normal to visit the Japanese Sister City since the program
began in 1962. John and Marilyn led numerous tours around
the world during the 1970's and 1980's.
The Rev. Dr. Trefzger was member of Arts and Crafts Masonic
Lodge of Bloomington #1017, and later affiliated with
Bloomington Lodge #43. He is affiliated with both the York
Rite and Scottish Rite bodies. While in South Bend, IN he
chaired a committee which planned Lenten joint services with
Masons and members of the Knights of Columbus. He is a past
Most Wise Master of The Rose Croix of Scottish Rite in the
Valley of Bloomington, IL. In 1967 he received the honorary
33rd degree in Scottish Rite Masonry in Pittsburg, PA.
He has written numerous articles for various religious
publications and journals. He developed a five-year program
for Bible Reading for the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), and in 1977 wrote a book entitled, Reading the
Bible with Understanding. He is a life member of both the
Disciples of Christ Historical Society and the Council on
Christian Unity.
Beginning in 1984 both Marilyn and John have been very
active in the Roman Catholic spiritual renewal program,
Cursillo. Each of them has given leadership in some seven
Cursillo weekends, serving in the capacity as Professional
Christian leaders, and presenting various meditations known
as "Rollos".
John has been listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in
the Midwest, and Who's Who in Religion. In 2002 he was named
Minister Emeritus of First Christian Church in Bloomington
IL.
On the 23rd of February, 2007, John will have been a minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for 60 years.
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