Zion Lutheran Church was organized on August 20, 1903, in response to the desire for a Missouri Synod Church to minister to spiritual needs of residents within the community and those living to the west of Pierce. A Lutheran church was already in existence a few miles to the east. A number of men had met earlier in the spring to begin the process of obtaining a pastor, and in May, Zion’s first pastor arrived to assist this group in forming a new congregation. By December, a church building had been erected on donated lots, with a wing closed off for a Christian Day School. In 1903, the membership of Zion stood at 102 souls.

The remaining lots of the block of property were acquired in 1908, where a parsonage was soon built and the teacherage remodeled some years later. In 1915, a two-room schoolhouse was erected on the northwest corner of this block. By moving the students into their new quarters, more seating became available in the church for a membership that had grown to over 500. School enrollment was then at 71 with two teachers employed.

During the next few decades several church organizations were formed and proved to be of invaluable service to both the congregation as a whole and to individuals as well. The years of WWI, the flu epidemic of that decade, and the Great Depression of the Thirties were solely trying times, but with God’s grace Zion continued to thrive. Shortly after WWII, there were 842 members, and discussions were held concerning the need for a larger edifice.

Before this could become a reality, however, the parsonage was replaced in 1949, and an addition to the school was built in 1953, filling dire needs. There were three Sunday services by this time, and discussion again surfaced concerning the need for a larger church. A committee was organized to raise funds during the Fifties for this project.

The old parsonage and the teacherage were moved off the block in 1958 and 1960 respectively, providing the necessary space for the new building. On August 5, 1962, dedication services were held for the present house of worship. Membership stood at close to 1000. The old building was used as a parish hall for several years until razed in 1970. An extension to the west wing was added at that time, joining the church to the school building. This provided additional classrooms, a kitchen, and a spacious parish hall and meeting room. School enrollment had hovered around 100 for quite some time, with a faculty of four.

After many years of effort in providing adequate facilities, a renewed sense of purpose arose in 1983, when it became apparent that one pastor could not meet the spiritual needs of so many members. A sharper focus was placed on the spiritual life of the congregation. To help the members and the pastor of Zion more effectively fulfill their duties, Zion availed itself to the Synod’s vicarage program, and in 1987 turned to an assistant pastor more continuity in ministry. A new organ was also installed in 1987, and was dedicated to the glory of God on Thanksgiving Day.

As of December 2006, we had 1072 baptized members and 825 communicant members.

Special thanks to Don Zimmer for the information used thus far.