zion lutheran church \ A look back

Zion Lutheran Church, 10857 Main St., New Middletown, will mark its 160th anniversary during two services Sunday, 8 and 10:45 a.m. Participating will be Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. A dinner will follow at the church.

Early years: The earliest known service of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was March 5, 1849. The formation of Zion dates back to a division that occurred in St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. The pastor of St. Luke’s, the Rev. Ellinger, announced a revival service and invited converts to come forward. Ellinger believed that women and men of the congregation had the right to offer prayers in public instead of just the pastor. There was opposition and those who supported the pastor formed Zion.

Charter members: The charter members were Fred Ilgenfritz and family, George Ilgenfritz and family, John Miller and family, David Miller, John Millhouser and family, Henry Myers, David Arner, Jacob Rummel and family, David and Levi Hoffmaster, Rachael Hoffmaster, John and Jacob Sipe, Jonathan Miller, Solomon Foust, Jacob Martin, Abel Martin and Mrs. Hetrick. The constitution was adopted Nov. 24, 1849. The first church, a white frame building, was built on the corner of Middletown Road and Rapp Road (where Zion Cemetery now is located). One week the service was in German and the next week it was in English.

Second church: The current church on Main Street in the village was built in 1900 with the Rev. McClintic as pastor. It was dedicated Nov. 11, 1900. The original cost of the building was $8,500. Early on, Zion was known as Zion Lutheran Springfield because the church shared a pastor with Emmanuel Lutheran in New Springfield. About the time of the Rev. Hayner (1927), the relationship changed and Zion supported its own pastor.

Changes: Under the Rev. Flath (1939), the first major altar with the picture of Jesus praying in the garden was placed in the church. Since then the church has been moved back from the road, had the basement placed under it and had the sanctuary renovated in 1951-1953 under Dr. Blair. It was expanded in 1958 when the Rev. Willis was pastor by adding the secretary’s office, rooms for education downstairs and the rear entrance. In the 1950s, Zion was known for the making of apple butter that it sold at the Canfield Fair.

Ecumenical events: With the arrival of the Rev. Homrighausen, two significant events took place. An ecumenical relationship was established with Old Springfield United Church of Christ and Petersburg Presbyterian and continues to this day. The churches jointly offer Vacation Church School, Lenten services and work together as part of Springfield Township Council of Churches and Community. The other event was called “Zion’s Venture into Tomorrow,” circa 1971, when the worship room and the upstairs were renovated. In the renovation, a free-standing altar and movable pews were put in to make the worship area flexible.

Source: Zion Lutheran Church