Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (Cleveland, Ohio)

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, organized in 1843, was the first German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and the "mother church" to other German Lutheran congregations in the metropolitan area. Congregants also took part in meetings at Zion, beginning in September 1845, which led to the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. Zion has been affiliated with the Missouri Synod since 1852. The congregation grew rapidly during the years of German immigration. Services were primarily in German until 1913, when Pasto T.F. Schurdel implemented greater use of English. In 1853, the Church began offering Lutheran education, and maintained an elementary school until 1971. After several moves, the current church, designed by architect Frank R. Walker, was dedicated in 1903 at East 30th Street and Prospect Avenue.

From the description of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church records, 1843-1994 [microform]. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 42345570