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Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Marietta, Pennsylvania |
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Our Beginning—Zion Union Church |
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In July of 1817, a petition was circulated to secure funds for a church that would be a church for all the Protestant denominations: "…that no denomination should be excluded but each shall have equal right to said church."
On August 23, 1818, the corner stone for Zion Church was laid, and the church was finished five years later. Zion Church, the first edifice built in Marietta for the sole purpose of the worship of God, was dedicated on June 19, 1823.
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For the next thirty years the various Protestant denominations shared the structure, but maintained their separate identities. During this time a gallery was added, a bell tower was constructed, and in 1854 the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations placed an organ in the church.
Zion Church continues today as the oldest public building in Marietta. Weddings and public events are regularly help here. On April 17, 2005, Zion held its worship service here—based upon the 1870's book of worship. The Church is shown in the photo to the right which was taken just before folks began arriving for the service.
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Our Own Home—The Walnut Street Church |
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During the summer of 1878 the congregation began building a new church for the Lutheran congregation. The corner stone was laid in September, and three months later, December 15, 1878, the church was finished and dedicated.
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In 1883 a tower addition was added to the church structure, and a bell was presented in memory of the 400th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther.
Later a new pipe organ was purchased and dedicated in 1923, the church nave was renovated, the chancel rearranged, the choir loft was enclosed, and new furniture purchased. The church was rededicated in 1926.
For a parsonage the congregation acquired a property directly across Mullberry Avenue from the church on which was a three story frame dwelling.
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The Nave Interior |
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Today the Walnut Street church building, shown to the left, serves as a residence.
The congregation then moved from Walnut Street to its current location at 1290 River Road; the first service was held in the new church
on December 6, 1970.
In 1973, the old commemorative bell was removed from the Walnut Street church and stored until a new bell tower was completed; the bell was rung for the first time in its new location on July 4, 1976. | |
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Our Current Church Home |
The current home for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church is 1290 River Road (rte 441) Matietta. The style of the building is distinctive and the accoustics are excellent especially for music. |
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Pavillion |
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Behind the church building beyond the parking area is a pavillion which is used for numerous church events—including the church picnic and the blessing of the animals—and community events. It is a favotite spot for many to watch the 4th of July fireworks each summeer. | |
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Sign and Bell |
A new, highly-visible lighted sign was erected along Route 441 in 2004. It allows Zion's congregation to display its activities in a manner visible to passersby 24 hours a day drawing into Zion from the surrounding community folks who otherwise would not knowZion's mission.
Also shown in the photo is the bell tower housing the commemorative bell from the Walnut Street building. |
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Zimmer Organ |
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In March of 1980, the new Zimmer & Sons, Inc., organ, was completed. The organ consists of the following pipes:
Great Organ: 8' Principal ; 8' Rohrflöte; 4' Octave; 2' Blockflöte; 1.33' Mixture III
Swell Organ: 8' Gedacht; Spitzgamba; 4' Koppelflöte; 2' Principal; 1.33' Nasat; 8' Trompete; Tremelo
Pedal Organ: 16' Subbass; 8' Offenbass; 4' Choralbass; 2.67' Rauchspfeife II ; 16' Faggot
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The Nave at Christmas |
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Ephrata Cloister Choir Concert—April 17, 2005
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