Oct 09

The Ministers of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Ohio (7-11)

This is the second installment of short biographies of the ministers of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Ohio. The information for these biographies is from the ELCA Archives at Trinity Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, and from my personal research.

The next five ministers of Zion, Chatt, ministers 7-11:

Reichert

Rev. Carl Reichert

Carl G. Reichert was born 16 November 1807 in Welthau, Saxony, Prussia, the son of K.G.H. Reichert. He studied Latin at the Latin School in Halle, in the Prussian Province of Saxony, and later studied theology at the University of Halle. He immigrated to America in 1834 and that same year was licensed to preach and first served at a church in Morgan County, Ohio. He was ordained in 1847 and served in the following parishes: Zanesville, Ohio, 1859; St. Paris, Ohio (2 churches), 1860-1862; St. Paul, Greenville, Ohio, 1862-1863; St. John, Grove City, Ohio, 1863-1885; and Zion, Chattanooga, 1889. He was the secretary of the synod in 1868 and in 1871. Rev. Reichert never married. He retired in 1885 and died from a stroke in Grove City, Ohio, on 15 August 1898, at the age of 90.

 

 

John Frederick Carsten Soller was born 29 November 1863 in Loge, in the Province of Hannover, the son of John and Ann (Winter) Soller. He immigrated to America in 1884 and graduated from Capital University in 1886 and from the ELT Seminary in 1889. He served congregations in Butlerville, Ohio, 1889-1892; Zion, Chattanooga, 1892-1895; and St. Paul, Youngstown, Ohio, 1895-1941. He was a Capital University Trustee for 12 years and was president of the Eastern District of the Joint Synod for 15 years. In recognition of his many services Capital University bestowed the title of Doctor of Divinity on him in 1927. He married Dorothea Zum Mallen 30 May 1889, the same day he was ordained and installed. They had two sons and one daughter. Rev. Soller died 22 September 1941 in Youngstown, Ohio, at the age of 77.

 

Johann J Vollmar was born 17 September 1852 in Gensungen, Kurhessen, the son of Johannes and Maria (Schomber) Vollmar. He immigrated and moved to Iowa in 1871. He graduated from Wartburg Seminary and served the following parishes: Elkport, Iowa; White Willow, Minnesota; Town Penn, Minnesota; St. Paul, Michigan City, Indiana, 1884-1897; Zion, Chattanooga, 1897; St. Paul’s, Detroit, Michigan, 1897; Bridgewater, Michigan; and Craig, Iowa. He also served as the superintendent of Wernle Orphans Home in Richmond, Indiana, during his career. He married Lucia Ruegg in 1874 and they had five sons and three daughters. Three sons died young and two lived to adulthood–[Rev.] John J. and O.F. One daughter died young and two lived to adulthood–Mrs. Fred Kusch and Mrs. Fred Townsend. Rev. Vollmar died 22 July 1928 in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 75.

 

Rev. August Affeld

Rev. August Affeld

Carl August Affeld was born 2 March 1868 in Zippnow, West Prussia, the son of Friedrich and Pauline (Marohm) Affeld, He immigrated to America in 1883. He graduated from Luther Seminary, Afton, Minnesota, in 1893. He served the following congregations: North Washington, 1893-1997; Zion, Chattanooga 1897-1900; St. Johns, New Bedford, Ohio, 1900-1902; he organized and served eight congregations in the vicinity of Turtle Lake, Coleharbor, Garrison, and Max, 1902-1914; three congregations in Anamoose, North Dakota, 1914-1920; New Leipzig, 1921-1926; Los Angeles, California, 1926-1928; and Churchtown-Center, Rosebud, North Dakota, 1928-1939. He retired from the ministry in 1939. He married (1) Maria Baier in 1896 and (2) Ulricke Peske in 1919. Three sons and five daughters were born from his first marriage. Rev. Affeld died 31 October 1944 at Center, North Dakota, at the age of 76. For additional information about Rev. Affeld, see blog post Rev. August Affeld, Pastor at Zion Chatt 1896-1899.

The oldest confirmation photo I have from Zion Chatt, with Rev. August Affeld, 1897. Row 1: Ida Kessler, Maria Regina Mueller, Katharina Strebel, Lydia Doellinger. Row 2: Otto Christian Kessler, Johann Heinrich Friedrich Becher, Rev. Affeld, Anna Maria Brandt, Samuel Clarence Brandt.

1897 confirmation class at Zion Chatt with Rev. August Affeld

The above photo is the oldest confirmation photo I have from Zion Chatt, taken with Rev. August Affeld in 1897. Row 1: Ida Kessler, Maria Regina Mueller, Katharina Strebel, Lydia Doellinger. Row 2: Otto Christian Kessler, Johann Heinrich Friedrich Becher, Rev. Affeld, Anna Maria Brandt, Samuel Clarence Brandt.

 

Rev. Reuben Smith

Rev. Reuben Smith

Reuben Valentine Smith was born 14 February 1877 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Benjamin L and Mary Ann (Poth) Smith He graduated from Capital University in 1896 and from ELT Seminary in Columbus in 1899. He served at Zion, Chattanooga, from 1899-1905 and at Marion, Indiana, 1905-1906. He was a college professor and Dean of Classic Language at Capital University from 1906-1955, completing nearly fifty years of uninterrupted teaching and missing only two days of classes during those years. Rev. Smith returned to Zion Chatt in 1916 for the dedication of the new church’s cornerstone. He was married to Nora Mangold. Rev. Smith died of a sudden heart attack in Columbus, Ohio, 18 November 1955, at the age of 78. In 1955 Rev. Smith wrote a narrative about his personal experiences as Zion’s pastor. To read his recollections see blog posts Recollections of Chattanooga, Ohio and Recollections of Chattanooga, Ohio, Part 2.

 

Cornerstone dedication, 1916. Rev. RV Smith, Rev. Heuer, ?

Cornerstone dedication, 1916. Rev. R.V. Smith, Rev. W.F.H. Heuer, and Rev. B.F. Brandt.

Oct 06

Tombstone Tuesday–John W. Allmandinger

John W. Allmandinger, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen.

John W. Allmandinger, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of John W. Allmandinger, located in Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

ALLMANDINGER
J.W. Allmandinger
Nov. 26, 1862
Feb. 28, 1906

John W. was the son of Lewis and Rosina (Schneider) Allmandinger, born 26 November 1862 in Ohio, in Hamilton or Butler County. The family moved to Mercer County sometime between 1870 and 1880 and settled in Blackcreek Township, about a mile north of Chatt.

In 1880 John W. was 17 and helped on the family farm. [1] John’s father Lewis died in April 1888.

John W. Allmandinger married Anna Barbara Bollenbacher on 29 October 1889 in Mercer County, near Chatt. They married at the home of Anna’s parents, George and Anna Barbara (Albrecht) Bollenbacher. Witnesses to the marriage were Jacob Allmandinger and Barbara Kühm. They were married by Zion Chatt’s pastor, Rev. Chr. Reichert and their marriage was also recorded in the Mercer County probate court. [2]

In 1900 John W. and Barbara lived in Chatt with their five children. In the household was John, 37, Barbara, 32, Amelia, 9, Alvina, 7, Hulda, 5, Otto, 2, and a 2-month old son whose name was not given. That infant would have been son Samuel Ludwig. Barbara had given birth to five children and all five were living. John’s occupation was “sawmiller’ and they owned their own home without a mortgage. [3]

The 1900 map of Chatt shows the J.W. Allmandinger Saw & Planing Mill on the west side of town, probably where Andrew’s Saw mill was later located. [4]

John Allmandinger died of lockjaw on 28 February 1906, at the age of 43 years, 3 months, and 2 days. He was buried on the 2nd of March in Kessler Cemetery, aka Liberty Cemetery, a couple miles south of Chatt. Zion Chatt’s records and Mercer County’s Probate death records both indicate he died of lockjaw. [5]

John and Anna had the following children:
Emilie “Amelia” Etha (1890-1943), married Carl Huff
Alvina Katharine (1892-1965), married Joseph C. Reichert
Hulda Karoline (1894-1935) married Joseph J Schmitt/Smith
Otto George (1897-1966), married Joila G. Hite
Samuel Ludwig/Lewis (1900-1983), married Elizabeth Catherine Travers
Johannita “Wilma” (1906-1978), married Dimmich

All of their children were baptized at Zion Chatt and these were their christening names, as they were written in the church records. An addition, all of their children, except for Johanitta Wilma, were confirmed at Zion. Johannita was born after John W’s death. In Zion’s records their last child was named Johannita Wilma and in the Mercer County Probate Birth Records the child’s name was written as John William Allmandinger, male. [6]

John’s widow Anna (Bollenbacher) Allmandinger died in 1922. [7]

 

[1] 1880 U. S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 179, p.323A, line 38, P Lewis Allmanding; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestrycom : accessed 13 Sep 2015); from FHL microfilm 1241303, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 130.

[2] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 4 Oct 2015), John W. Allmandinger and Anna B. Bollenbacher, 29 Oct 1889; citing Mercer County, Ohio, Marriages, Vol. 6, p.164; from FHL microfilm 914957.

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 85, p.10B, dwelling 190, family 196, John W. Allmandinger; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 Oct 2015); from FHL microfilm 1241304, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1304.

[4] Mercer County Chapter, OGS, Mercer County, Ohio, Combined 1888, 1900 Atlases and 1876 Map of Mercer County, Ohio (Mt. Vernon, Indiana : Windmill Publications, Inc., 1999); 1900 Atlas, p.33.

[5] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 4 Oct 2015), John Allmandinger, 28 Feb 1906; citing Mercer County, Ohio Deaths, Vol 1-2, p.256; from FHL microfilm 914954.

[6] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 4 Oct 2015), John William Allmandinger, 4 Jun 1906; citing Mercer County Births Vol. 4, p.3; from FHL microfilm 914953.

[7] Find a Grave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 4 oct 2015), Anna Barbara Bollenbacher Allmandinger, memorial #29379255.

Oct 02

The Ministers of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Ohio (1-6)

Last week Zion Lutheran Church at Chattanooga, Ohio, celebrated its 160th anniversary with a special church service and dinner afterward. During those 160 years Zion has had nearly 30 ministers. Ten years ago, for Zion’s 150th anniversary, I compiled short biographies of Zion’s ministers. The information for these biographies came from the ELCA Archives at Trinity Seminary, Columbus, and my personal research.

Zion’s first six ministers:

Gackenheimer JD 1855-60Johann Gackenheimer was born 25 April 1820 in Güttlingen, Württemberg, and died 29 November 1882 near Bippus, Indiana, at the age of 62. He was educated at the Basel Mission House, Switzerland, from 1840-1846. After he was ordained he was sent to America to minister to the German immigrants. His first congregation was in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in the late part of 1846. In 1850 he moved to Van Wert County, Ohio, where he established and served at the Evangelical Church in Harrison Township from 1850-1875. He established at least one other congregation in Van Wert County, near Convoy. During this time he would travel to the Chattanooga area to baptize children and give communion to the adults. He served at Zion Chatt and St. Paul Liberty Township from 1855-1860. Rev. Gackenheimer also owned and farmed about 40 acres of land in Willshire Township, Van Wert County. He left the area about 1875 and went to serve an Evangelical congregation in Hayesville, Ohio. He retired from the ministry at St. John’s, Warren Township, Huntington County, Indiana. He married Elsbeth Kramer, from Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, on 23 May 1853 and they had seven children. Three sons died young and are buried in Evangelical Protestant Cemetery, Harrison Township, Van Wert County. For additional information about Rev. Gackenheimer see my blog post, J.D. Gackenheimer—Zion Chatt’s First Minister.

HeintzGeorge Heintz was born in Dornbuch, Bavaria, on 14 August of 1833 and died 4 July 1911 in Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana, at the age of 76. He immigrated to America between 1848-1852. He served at St. Paul, Jenera in 1860; Zion Chatt, 1861-1872; and moved to Indiana by 1873. In 1880 he was living and serving at a Lutheran church in Crown Point. He first married Agatha Kirn and they had two children while at Zion: Johann Mathias, born in 1866, and Friederich Christoph, born in 1867. Agatha died 2 February 1868, at the age of 24 years, 5 months, and 2 days. Agatha’s tombstone is the oldest surviving tombstone in Zion’s cemetery. Rev. Heintz married Maria Elisabetha Germann about 1869. Maria was from Van Wert County and their son Karl Georg Peter was born in 1870, while the couple was still living at Chatt. They had five more children who were born in Indiana: Clara, Willie, Oscar, Martha, and Martin. Rev. Heintz is buried in Maplewood Historic Cemetery, Crown Point, Indiana. His second wife Maria died 28 October 1931 and is buried beside Rev. Heintz. For additional information about Rev. Heintz’s first wife Agatha see my blog post, Tombstone Tuesday—Agatha Heintz.

Heintz, Agatha (2)

Agatha Heintz, first wife of Rev. George Heintz.

Philip SchmidtPhillipp H. Schmidt was born in 1 December 1846 in Schillersdorf, Alsace, the son of George and Margaret (Anstaetter) Schmidt, and died 13 January 1913 in Columbus, Ohio, at the age of 66. He immigrated to America in 1866, graduated from Capital University, and in 1872 graduated from the ELT Seminary in Columbus. He served at Zion Chatt from 1872-1875; St. Peter, Trenton, Ohio, 1875-1885; and St. John, Grove City, Ohio, 1885-1912. He retired from the ministry in 1912 due to illness. He married Mathilde Meyer in 1872 and they had one son, Rev. Hugo Schmidt, and one daughter, Olga (Mrs. William Voeller). Rev. Schmidt is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.

 

Hugo Willert was born in October 1835 in Germany and died before 1910. He immigrated to America, sailing from Hamburg on the ship Westphailia and arriving in New York on 28 September 1868. His occupation was “Lutheran Pastor” on the ship’s passenger list. Less than a year later, in April of 1869, his wife Bertha, their two-year-old son, Otto, and six-month-old son Hugo arrived in New York on the ship Allemannia. Rev. Willert served at St. John Lutheran, Covington, Ohio, from 1873-?; at Zion Chatt, 1876-1879, and at Exeter, Monroe, Michigan 1880-? In 1900 the Willerts were living in Jackson Township, Franklin County, Ohio.

Frederick H. Besel was born 8 March 1855 in Illinois to John Frederick Carl and Sophia (Melber) Besel. His parents were born in Germany and his father was a minister. F.H. Besel served at Zion Chatt from 1881-1883. He married Angie Cook in Trumbull County, Ohio, on 2 February 1882 and they had the following children: Clara M., Walter Adolph, and Carl William. Rev. Besel died 5 October 1941 and is buried at Lakeview Cemetery, Windsor, Weld County, Colorado.

Adam, Rev. Carl (1)Karl Christian Konrad Adam, Jr. was born 6 August 1823 in Swabia, the son of Karl and Christiana (Roecker) Adam, and died of a stomach ailment in Chattanooga, Ohio, 2 March 1889, at the age of 65. He is buried in row 6 of Zion’s cemetery. He immigrated to America in 1833, graduated from Capital University, and was licensed to preach in 1842. He immediately began serving at St. Paul, Sulphur Springs, from 1842-1848. He was ordained in 1850 and in 1851 took a three month trip through Northwest Ohio and Eastern Indiana for the new Northern District. For this he was became known as a “traveling preacher.” He served the following parishes: St. Thomas, Dixon and Harrison, Van Wert, Ohio, 1851-1855; Wapakoneta, Ohio; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Saginaw, Michigan; New York; Eden, Indiana; Woodland; Michigan; and Zion Chatt, 1883-1889. He married Wilhelmine Philippine Rieger in 1862.

 

To be continued with Zion’s next five ministers.

Sep 29

Tombstone Tuesday–Michael Allmandinger

Michael Allmandinger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

Michael Allmandinger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Michael Allmandinger, located in row 1 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Michael
Allmandinger
Gestorben
Den 9 Dec 1883
Alter
25 Jahr, 8 Tag

Translation: Michael Allmandinger, died 9 Dec 1883, aged 25 years, 8 days.

Michael was the son of Lewis and Rosina (Schneider) Allmandinger. He was likely born in Butler County, Ohio. The Lewis Allmandinger family did not move to Mercer County until sometime between 1870 and 1880.

The first Allmandinger entries appear in Zion’s communion records in April 1878, when Louis Sr, Rosina, Louis Jr, Johann, and Michael received Holy Communion. The first Allmandinger confirmations at Zion Chatt were in 1884, when Michael’s brothers William and Friedrich were confirmed on the same day.

Michael’s death is not recorded in Zion Chatt’s records but it is recorded in the Mercer County, Ohio, Probate Death records. The probate death record indicates he died 20 December 1883 in Blackcreek Township by hanging himself. He was single, aged 24 years, 9 months, and 4 days, and was born in Ohio. [1]

Michael Allmandinger (2015 photo by Karen)

Michael Allmandinger (2015 photo by Karen)

Although the tombstone is very difficult to read, his age as carved on his tombstone disagrees with the county death record. According to his tombstone Michael was born 1 December 1858. According to his probate death record he was born 5 March 1859.

The first census Michael was enumerated in indicates he was born about 1859 in Ohio. [2]

The 1880 census indicates he was born about 1858. In 1880 he worked on the family farm in Blackcreek Township. [3]

 

[1] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 13 Sep 2015), Mike Allmandinger, 20 Dec 1883: citing Deaths, Black Creek Township, Mercer, Ohio, Vol.1-2, p.194, from FHL microfilm 914954.

[2] 1870 U.S. Census, Wayne, Butler, Ohio, p.491B, dwelling 78, family 75, Lewis Allmandinger; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 Sep 2015); from FHL microfilm 552676, from NARA microfilm M593, roll 1177.

[3] 1880 U.S. Census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 179, p.323A, line 38, Lewis Allmanding; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 Sep 2015); from NARA microfilm T9, roll 1048.

Sep 25

Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Celebrates Its 160th Anniversary (1855-2015)

It was established a mere 160 years ago and is still active to this day. This coming Sunday, 27 September 2015, we will celebrate Zion Chatt’s 160th anniversary during a celebratory worship service at 10:30 with a carry-in dinner to follow. All are welcome to attend, visit, and reminisce. And eat!

Zion Evangelical Church was formed in 1855 as an outgrowth of the west half of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Liberty Township. Zion is located in Section 5 of Liberty Township, on the corner of State Route 49 and Tama Road, at the south end of Chattanooga, in Mercer County, Ohio.

Zion’s first pastor was J.D. Gackenheimer, a traveling missionary educated in Switzerland and sent to America to serve German settlers with the Word of God.  While serving an Evangelical church in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, he would travel to the Chattanooga area to minister to the Lutheran and Evangelical settlers by baptizing the children and serving communion to the adults.

Gackenheimer JD 1855-60

Rev. Johann Gackenheimer, Zion’s first pastor.

Zion’s congregation worshiped in homes until 1860 when members purchased land to build a frame church. Church elders Conrad Heffner and Frederick Herzog purchased the 100×85 foot parcel of land from Jacob & Charity Deitsch in 1860 for $5. A frame church was built and was located directly southwest of the present church, on the corner of State Route 49 and Tama Road. For seven years the building served both Lutheran and Evangelical worshipers, until the Evangelicals sold their interest and organized their own church.

Zion Lutheran Church, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, Old Frame Church

Zion Lutheran Church, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, Old Frame Church

Another view of Zion's frame church.

Another view of Zion’s frame church, c1916. Note the brick church on the left side of the photo.

In 1863 the congregation purchased three acres on the south side of Tama Road from Conrad & Margaret Heffner for $5. A small Lutheran School was built there and was run by the pastor and used during the summer for teaching the Bible. A frame parsonage was located south of the school. The current brick parsonage was built and dedicated in 1947. Two ball fields also occupy the lot and are used by local teams.

Zion Lutheran School, Chattanooga, Ohio (c1904)

Zion Lutheran School, Chattanooga, Ohio (c1904)

The old parsonage, south of the Lutheran School, c1900.

The old parsonage, south of the Lutheran School, c1900.

In 1889 Zion purchased 1/5 acre adjacent to the frame church from Michael & Elizabeth Zellinger and in 1916 Henry C. & Margaret Baker sold an adjacent twelve by ten rods to the church for $260.This would be the location of the congregation’s new brick church.

The cornerstone for the present church building was laid 2 July 1916, during the pastorate of the Rev. W.F.H. Heuer. The present church was dedicated 13 May 1917 and the frame church was moved to the north end of Chattanooga, where it was used as a garage and eventually torn down.

The frame church and the "new" brick church, side-by-side, until the frame structure was moved.

The old frame church and the “new” brick church, side-by-side, until the frame structure was moved.

Another view of both churches.

Another view of both churches, c1916.

The first minister to be installed at Zion was the Rev. George Heintz in 1860. Zion and St. Paul Liberty shared pastors during the years 1855-1883, 1914-1931, and 1978-2011.Two sons of Zion joined the ministry, Rev. B.F. Brandt and Rev. Paul Becher.

Services at Zion were held in German for more than sixty years. The first English service was held in about 1910 and some German services were provided into the 1930s.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery is located about a quarter mile east of the church, the land deeded from Michael Burger in 1866. The oldest known and surviving tombstone in the cemetery is that of Agatha Heintz, who died in 1868. She was the wife of Pastor George Heintz, Zion’s pastor at the time.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Zion Lutheran Cemetery. (2013 photo by Karen)

The Chattanooga Mausoleum Association purchased 100 x 60 feet of land immediately west of the cemetery from Henry C. and Margaret Baker in 1917 for the construction of a mausoleum. In 2013 the Chattanooga Mausoleum Association turned the mausoleum over to the Liberty Township trustees.

Chatt Mausoleum. (2000 photo by Karen)

Chatt Mausoleum. (2000 photo by Karen)

The parcel of land between the church and mausoleum was purchased from Gertrude Hoblet In 1997. Crops are currently grown on the land.

Zion was part of the American Lutheran Church (ALC) during the mid-20th century. Zion joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1987, the same time the ELCA was formed. On 4 December 2011 Zion voted to disassociate from the ELCA and at the same time joined the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). Zion is currently a member of the Northwest Ohio Mission District of the NALC.

In the spring of 2012 Zion Lutheran and St. John Lutheran, Hopewell, joined to form a two-point parish. Pastor Karen Tamorria accepted a call from the parish in the fall of 2012 and began her ministry in the parish in November 2012. Pastor Tamorria was installed 6 January 2013.

Zion’s brick church building will be 100 years old in 2016. The building is in very good condition but does require regular maintenance. The whole church was extensively remodeled in 1968 when the upper balcony was made into three Sunday School rooms, the first floor area under the balcony was made into two offices and a Sunday School room, and the basement was remodeled. The sanctuary was redecorated in the late 1960s and again redecorated by Henry Husmann of Portland, Indiana, in 1992. In 2013 the slate roof was repaired, the brick chimney on the east side of the structure was removed, and a new heating system was installed. The stair lift going up to the sanctuary was replaced and a new lift going down to the basement was installed in February of 2015, making the both levels handicap accessible. The stair lifts are located on the west side of the church [the door nearest route 49], where there is also handicap parking.

Zion Lutheran Church, 2015.

Zion Lutheran Church, 2015.

Zion continues to teach the Word of God at weekly worship services, mid-week services during the Lenten season, and at Bible Study groups. Active groups include Sunday School for all ages, Zion Lutheran Church Women, a Bible Study group, Chatta-John youth group, Kingdom Kids, Zion’s Diner and summer Bible School. Mission projects include the Ohio Mission District of the NALC, CALL Food Pantry, Wernle Children’s Home, Lutheran World Relief, Water Mission International, Van Wert Area Youth for Christ, and Heart to Heart. The church women make comforts for Lutheran World Relief, make and deliver Christmas plates to shut-ins, and prepare and serve funeral dinners. Chatta John youth fund raisers include Zion’s Diner and a concession stand at the Parkway basketball tournament.

Zion’s website, Zion’s Chatt, www.zionchatt.org , was created in 2012 and the congregation has a print newsletter, Zion’s Chatt Line.

During the past 160 years, nearly 1100 people have been baptized and over 900 members have been confirmed at Zion Lutheran in Chattanooga.

We hope you will join us Sunday as we celebrate Zion Chatt’s160th anniversary.