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HOME > History > History Club > Thomas Queck - Zion Lutheran Church
History of Zion
Lutheran Church
Presentation to the Annandale History
Club
April 3, 2000
Pastor Thomas Queck
Zions history begins with Gods people meeting in private homes to worship. The Rev. F. H. Kolbe of Howard Lake held services in German in various homes in Corinna Township. Out of these modest beginnings comes Zions congregation as we know it today.
On April 11, 1887 Rev. C. L. Wuggazer, Pastor of Concordia, Fair Haven, accepted Zion, Corinna as an additional charge and formed the one parish of Concordia-Zion congregations. On October 1, 1888, Zion incorporated and becomes the date which we celebrate our Churchs anniversary.
The original church property was a gift of Mr. George Kuhnley. It was located on the corner of County Road # 39 and Sugar Lake Road North, the site of our present cemetery. On this property the church was built in 1888 and the parsonage in 1899. Pastor Wuggazer accepted a call to Michigan in December 1888.
The following pastors lived at Fair Haven and served the dual congregations of Concordia and Zion:
Rev. F. Styer 1889-1892
Rev. Karl Zum Hagen 1892-1896
Rev. R. W. Michlau 1896-1898
In May 1898, Zion and Concordia congregations became separate parishes, with Pastor Michlau remaining at Concordia. Rev. Gustav Waack became Zions first resident pastor the summer of 1898 and served until 1904.
The following Pastors served Zion congregation:
Rev. J. Duerr 1904-1907
Rev. C. H. Lueker 1908-1917
Rev. Alfred Streufert 1917-1928
In 1928, Rev. Arnold Cloeter accepted the call to Zion Congregation and served until October 1936. In 1931 Zion congregation divided and Immanuel, Silver Creek was organized.
Rev. Waldemer Lemke was installed as Pastor of Zion in 1937 and served until 1946.
On April 14, 1939, the Zion Ladies Club (now Lutheran Womens Missionary League) was organized at the home of Mrs. Edward Albers, with Mrs. Florence Ladwig as President.
In 1944 plans for a church in Annandale and building sites was considered.
October 14, 1945, proposed to build a central school in Annandale with Middleville and Fair Haven Congregations.
On February 10, 1946, Rev. Martin Hauser was installed as Pastor.
In 1947 a lot was chosen in Annandale with 300 frontage, back of 230 at a cost of $200. The basement was built and the church moved. Pastor Hauser left in July 1948. Our 60th Anniversary and cornerstone
service for the relocated church was held in September 1948.
In 1949 the old parsonage sold and new one was built; after maintaining a school since its beginning, it was decided to discontinue for economic reasons; Rev. Carl F. Kurtzwig was installed as Pastor.
The 1950s brought many blessings to Zion congregation. A new Everett organ was purchased; two services were started and plans for enlarging the church building. In 1953 Zion requested Immanuel, Silver Creek to release Pastor Kurtzwig to only serve Zion. A Building Committee was appointed in 1956 for building a new church and on July 10, 1957 it was approved. Our present sanctuary was dedicated on May 24, 1959.
In August 1961 Pastor Kurtzwig retired and Rev. Ronald Barkow was installed in 1962 and the Fellowship Club was organized. In 1963 Zion celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Pastor Barkow served until 1966 and in January 1967 Rev. Herman Bentrup was installed as Pastor.
The 1970s were busy years as Zion continued to thrive and grow in Gods Word. A Hunt Organ was designed and built especially for Zion; woman suffrage was voted in; new light fixtures and ceiling were installed; and new carpet added, and a public address system installed.
In 1982 the new Lutheran Worship hymnals were purchased and member mail boxes were installed. 1983-1984 Jim Ollhoff and Dan Scholbohm served as student DCEs consecutively. On September 1, 1984, Pastor Bentrup retired. Rev. John Temple was called and installed in September 1985. In 1987 a Building Committee was appointed to study plans for expansion. Zion celebrated its 100th in 1988; Pastor Temple left in 1988 to continue mission work in Sri Lanka. Rev. Thomas Queck was called and installed on December 4, 1988, and continues to serve Zion.
May, 1989 we had the groundbreaking for the new addition, with dedication on December 24, 1989.
As we continued to grow and prosper in the 1990s with Gods help weve added computers, copy machine and fax machine and new phone system. Curtain dividers were installed in the basement for Sunday School; padded pew cushions were added in 1994. On January 8, 1995, our mortgage debt on the new addition was retired and we held a Mortgage Burning during our Worship Service. The Endowment Fund and Social Ministry Fund were established.
In April 1995 carpet and tile were replaced in the Sanctuary with new carpet. In 1996 Greeters were organized for Sunday morning; a TV/VCR was purchased for the Sunday School from donations. In 1997 Zion joined in as the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod celebrated its 150th Anniversary throughout the year. Divider curtains were installed in the Fellowship Hall in March 97. In 1998 Zion entered the Deaconess Internship program and on August 8, 1998 Deaconess Intern Grace Rao was inducted to service Zion congregation followed by Deaconess Intern Kelly Hardt. Following Deaconess Kellys internship Deaconess Grace Rao was called to full time service at Zion being installed in July of 2000 and serving until 2005.
In 1999 Zion purchased back the original Zion property and building to the west of the church and parsonage.
New technology enabled enhancements to the organ in 2005. In 2006 the project to reframe the all the windows in the Sanctuary began and was completed in 2007.
In the spring of 2007 Zion replaced its Lutheran Worship hymnal with the new Synodical hymnal, the Lutheran Service Book. In 2007 a remodeling of the basement was also completed.
Zion Lutheran has a wonderful history. With Gods help we have moved forward to meet new challenges. By the Spirit of God who has sustained the church throughout its history, trusting in the Lordwe move forward!
submitted by Pastor Thomas Queck, 2007