History
Our story began over 100 years ago...
When the history of Zion Lutheran Church began, much of Maumee Township and surrounding area was still covered with virgin forest and swamp land.
Among the early settlers were Lutheran immigrants from Germany. The nearest Lutheran church at the time was St. Paul, Gar Creek, but because of the primitive road conditions, these people of Lutheran stock found it difficult to attend services regularly. As a result, a desire awakened in the hearts of these Christians to have a church of their own. Henry Woebbeking, Sr., who with his family had moved here from Adams County, invited fellow Lutherans to his home or to a nearby school, where he then conducted “Reading Services.” At the same time, the group earnestly petitioned the Reverend A. Schupmann of Gar Creek to serve them occasionally on Sunday afternoons with the message of the Word and administration of the Sacraments.
Under the guidance and leadership of the Reverend Schupmann, Zion Congregation was organized on March 25, 1888, at the home of Henry Lagemann and was incorporated the following year. A constitution was adopted and signed and officers were elected. The Reverend A. Schupmann was requested to serve the congregation every three to four weeks and to perform such official acts as were necessary.
Soon after the organization of Zion Congregation, a five-acre tract of land on the banks of the Maumee River at Bull Rapids was purchased with a portion of the eastern end of the tract set aside for a cemetery. During the first summer, the members erected a log building on their property, which served them as both a church and a school. The entire building and its furnishings, with the exception of the doors, window panes, and stove, were the product of members’ own hands. The church was dedicated in the late summer of 1888 by the Reverend A. Schupmann and it faithfully served the congregation as a house of worship for 14 years.
In 1889, the congregation called the Reverend F. H. Eickhoff of South Dakota as its first resident pastor. During the spring and summer of 1890, the congregation erected a two-story parsonage. In 1900, plans for a brand new church progressed and materialized. At that time, the congregation listed only 37 voting members, due in part to the release in 1898 of eight families who organized a church in town, Christ Lutheran Church. With great joy and enthusiasm, the members of Zion erected a brick church with large stained-glass windows at a cost of a little more than $6,000. Dedication of the new church took place on November 9, 1902. At that time, it was one of the finer rural churches in Indiana and has served the congregation well into the present time.
The old log building was then used exclusively for school purposes. Until 1918, all the pastors, in addition to their ministerial duties, had also taught school. But in 1918, the first full-time teacher was hired. In 1928, the congregation dedicated a new, modern brick-veneer school.
During the second World War, seventeen sons of the congregation served their country in the armed forces. Three gave their lives in the line of duty. The congregation erected a beautiful memorial stone to their memory near the entrance of the cemetery.
In 1948, a new modern parsonage was erected. In 1953, an addition was built to the school, adding modern conveniences and a kitchen, and also connecting the school to the church and establishing a nursery.
In the spring of 1952, a special committee was appointed by Zion to confer with a similar committee of Christ Church and discuss the advisability of the consolidation of their respective schools and thereby improve the education of the children. Such consolidation was effected April 4, 1954, under the name The Lutheran School Association of Woodburn, Indiana, Inc. This united effort then resulted in a more thorough Christian education and training of the children. The Woodburn School Association planned and built a new school building, dedicated in 1966, which would bring all eight grades together.
Other renovations and improvements were continually being completed over the years to maintain the church property. After much study, the old school was torn down and a new fellowship hall was built about 100 feet from the church and dedicated in 1984. A covered walkway was completed in 1986, connecting the church and fellowship hall.
Some of the groups active in Zion Church today started many years ago. The Ladies Aid formed in February 1924. During the first years, the Aid met in the homes of the members. Throughout the years, the ladies increased their involvement in church and community and remain an active organization, which contributes much to Zion and to the community.
Since the turn of the century, men and women of the congregation have given of their time and the use of their talents to make a joyful noise unto God. The first choir of record was a men’s choir in 1903. In later years it has become a mixed choir directed by the organists of the congregation.
In 1923, a Young People’s Society was organized to afford the younger group the opportunity for more intensive study of God’s Word and to foster entertainment in accordance with Christian principles. In 1932, this society joined the International Walther League under the name Zion Walther League and adopted the League program, the most important phase of which is Bible Study and Christian Service. In 1973, the name was changed to Woodburn Lutheran Youth Group, which was a combination of Christ and Zion Lutheran youth. In 2001, the group changed to include the youth from St. Paul Gar Creek, and the name changed to ATTIC (All Tied Together in Christ).