Although the year 1855 is given as the date of the formal organization of Zion Congregation, there were Lutherans worshipping in Marietta at a much earlier time. Prior to the formal organization of the congregation both English and German pastors from the more settled regions of the Commonwealth provided those of Lutheran faith with the means of Grace and served in a pastoral oversight in some way for many years. Also, many of the people traveled afoot or by horseback to already established churches in the larger towns for worship and fellowship. They seem to have been loyal and devoted to the Church.

    The pioneers who settled this area were mostly Scots-Irish, some German and Swiss, and a few English. The first African-American settled in Marietta in 1812.(Knowing the history of our Country and the scourge of slavery which taints it, we note that the African-Americanswho settled here were free men according to the town records from the time of their arrival(1812) and they along with the other pioneers established farms and businesses and prospered.) These pioneers were attracted to the area by the land which is rich and fertile with well watered rolling hills. To this day, agriculture is an important part of our economy.

    Starting in the 1820's, large groups of German settlers arrived. Thus, two Lutheran groups developed in Marietta - the English speaking and the German. In the beginning services were held in private homes or in a school house. By 1817 a church to serve all Protestant denominations was started and was dedicated in 1823. for about 30 years the various denominations shared this structure, but maintained their separate identities.

    In the summer of 1878 the Lutherans laid the foundation for a church and the building was finished and dedicated on 15 December of 1878. That building underwent various changes, additions and renovations and continued to serve the Lutherans of the area until 1971 when the present church was dedicated.

    As noted above, for the first decades the congregation was divided by language. By 1878 the congregation had merged, but services were conducted in both languages and the congregation's name, Zion Evangelical German-English Lutheran Church, reflected this bilingualism. Since 1914 all worship has been in the English language and the current name, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, reflects this.

    The congregation strongly subscribes to the concepts of social ministry subsumed in our church doctrine. Outreach efforts are reflected in programs and services directed to the community at large.