Written by Loree Kloster
for the book 150 Years of Making Memories, West Union, Iowa
(Published in 1999)
The historical roots of Zion Lutheran go back to the German farmers who settled on farms in the Windsor Township just west of West Union. The earliest records show that services were held in the home of "Deacon" John Martin.
In 1859 the first organized church was known as Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Windsor Township. In 1862 halfway between Hawkeye and West Union a two story log cabin was built. The upper floor was the school and church. The ground floor was the parsonage. German was spoken at school and during the services until World War I, when the language pattern was changed to English.
During the 1872-1879 a brick church was built. It was during this time that the church was referred to as "Little Brick Church on the Prairie".
During the 1920s small churches in the surrounding area were being built. West Union members wanted a church in West Union. On May 14, 1922, the Little Brick Church voted to disband. The church did continue to be used for special services until 1933 when the structure of the floor was dangerous. The building no longer exists. In 1973 the congregation in West Union dedicated a memorial marker to the Little Brick Church. It is located 5 miles west of West Union on 220th Street on the south side of the road.
On June 17, 1923, Zion English Lutheran Church of West Union was founded. This was a missionary church until 1938. Services were held at the Universalist Church at the Northwest corner of Plum Street. (The same corner where West Union Tire was located.) By 1938 the church was no longer a missionary church. The congregation built its first building. The building was dedicated on December 18, 1938. For many years it was referred to as the "White Church".
The same year the congregation was able to obtain permission from the trustees of the Little Brick Church to move the bell to the West Union Church. That same bell that called its members in Windsor Township, continues to call West Union worshipers.
In 1952 the congregation saw a need to build a bigger church. Possible merger plans with St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Pine Street (now Victory Christian) was in the offing. A merger was not obtained. In 1958, 156 people from St. Olaf did transfer their membership to Zion Lutheran. At this time the church building was torn down so the new church could be built over the original basement.
During the construction period, church services were held at a movie theater. The new church building was dedicated on Sunday, November 1, 1959.
In 1972, Zion Lutheran was able to install 13 stained glass windows in the church sanctuary. When you look at these windows, you will see the cycle of the church year and the main events in our Lord's life. The Sacristy window symbolizes the nailing of the 95 theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg in 1517.
Zion Lutheran continued to grow in faith and service to the community and the world. In 1974 missionaries were supported in New Guinea until 1989. Mission support then went to Japan for Rev. Ron and Marilynn Hayes. For a number of years the congregation supported the Chicago Lutheran Family Mission with gifts. The Zion Lutheran Church Women have for many years dedicated their time and resources to making quilts, sewing layettes, and assembling school and health kits for the Lutheran World Relief program. Jean Ostert and Dorthea Brockway have been instrumental in organizing these activities and deliveries.
In 1987, Marie Reyner represented the Lutheran Women of Iowa when she participated in the Woman-to-Woman exchange in Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Songs of praise and thanksgiving have been lead by many gifted members. In the 1950s and 1960s our organists were Viola Steffens, Medelia Wangness and Emma Downing. Barbara Temple has been organist since 1969. Barbara O'Kones was added to the music ministry staff as an organist in 1990.
Sr. Choir had been directed by Marian Freed for 25 years. In 1992 Leslie Poppen continued, assisted by Marie Reyner. Marie Reyner has been the director of the Junior Choir for over 20 years, with Kaylene Nesvik as the accompanist.
A history of Zion cannot be completed without mention of the "Smorgasbord" held every fall. It originated at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, then located at 112 S. Pine St. in the 1950s. The congregation was primarily made up of Norwegian descendants; therefore, the menu was made up of mainly Norwegian items.
In 1958, a group of St. Olaf parishioners transferred to Zion, which was made up of many German descendants. The menu became a blend of German and Norwegian dishes. Costumes and various flags and decorations added to the occasion. At one time 800 people were served from West Union and surrounding communities. The last smorgasbord was held in 1983.
This page was last updated on June 16, 2006.