A rich, long history.
Zion Lutheran Church has been a place of worship and ministry since 1903. Immigrant families from Norway at the turn of the 20th century wanted a church to hear God's word in their first language, where they could gather to give praise to God and preserve their culture in a new country. Since 1903, Zion (first named Immanuel Lutheran near Custer, WA) has continued to change and grow. The congregation first met in members' homes, then in a schoolhouse and, six years after its formation, the congregation built their own building on the two acres purchased for $100.
1903: Congregation holds its first official service on Thanksgiving Day. Rev. Ordal serves six churches at once!
1906: First church member burial on the land owned by the church.
1909: Church building is constructed.
1926: The church gets electricity.
1928: Women are given the right to vote at church meetings.
1941: First church services are conducted in English (as opposed to Norwegian).
1942: First "Fall Festival" anniversary celebration in early November--this event is still happening!
1948: The church building is raised for construction of a full basement.
1952: The church parsonage is built.
1954: A big sanctuary and basement expansion to the south.
1967: Zion's Pastor Don Cornell is tapped to start a church in Ferndale. The "two-point" parish relationship with Christ Lutheran begins.
1970: The first "Strawberry Social" event--this event is still happening!
1989: Zion and Christ Lutheran decide to be self-supporting, and each call their own pastor.
1992: Zion calls its first woman pastor in Rev. Joanne Pearson.
2003: Stained glass windows are installed in the sanctuary.
2003: Zion celebrates its centennial anniversary--100 years of God's Grace!
2020: The global Covid-19 pandemic suspends in-person worship for six months. Worship is livestreamed.
A wonderful history of Zion's life was written in honor of the congregation's 100th anniversary by local historian Bob Ogmundson.
1903: Congregation holds its first official service on Thanksgiving Day. Rev. Ordal serves six churches at once!
1906: First church member burial on the land owned by the church.
1909: Church building is constructed.
1926: The church gets electricity.
1928: Women are given the right to vote at church meetings.
1941: First church services are conducted in English (as opposed to Norwegian).
1942: First "Fall Festival" anniversary celebration in early November--this event is still happening!
1948: The church building is raised for construction of a full basement.
1952: The church parsonage is built.
1954: A big sanctuary and basement expansion to the south.
1967: Zion's Pastor Don Cornell is tapped to start a church in Ferndale. The "two-point" parish relationship with Christ Lutheran begins.
1970: The first "Strawberry Social" event--this event is still happening!
1989: Zion and Christ Lutheran decide to be self-supporting, and each call their own pastor.
1992: Zion calls its first woman pastor in Rev. Joanne Pearson.
2003: Stained glass windows are installed in the sanctuary.
2003: Zion celebrates its centennial anniversary--100 years of God's Grace!
2020: The global Covid-19 pandemic suspends in-person worship for six months. Worship is livestreamed.
A wonderful history of Zion's life was written in honor of the congregation's 100th anniversary by local historian Bob Ogmundson.
Zion Lutheran Church: One Hundred Years of God's Grace was written in 2003 by local historian Bob Ogmundson.