510 W Ivy Ave, Bay City, MI 48706 (989) 894-2611
History
How It Started

1800 - 1899

Before the turn of the twentieth century, many Lutherans lived in the southwestern area of Bay City known as Salzburg and nearby Monitor Township, but they had to travel to worship. Other local Lutheran congregations included St. Paul in Frankenlust Township founded in 1849 and Immanuel Lutheran on Lincoln Street at Tenth Street on the east side of the river founded in 1861.

1900 - 1925


In November 1900, The Rev. Dr. Carl F. Graebner of Immanuel Lutheran Church started a Sunday School (or Bible Class) on Salzburg Avenue to serve the many members of his parish who lived on the west side of the river. Soon it was†evident that a separate parish would be beneficial to serving the spiritual needs of these Lutherans living in the Salzburg area. So on July 23, 1901, Dr. Graebner and charter members Johan Michael Arnold, Richard Born, Johan Hufnagel, Johan F. Loessel, August Rahn, Friedrich Reichard, Heinrich Ruhlig, Gustav Stroemer, Otto Stroemer, Rudolf Stroemer, and Ferdinand Wendt, all of who were originally members of Immanuel incorporated as Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Bay City. Soon other Lutherans who lived in the area and had been members of either St. Paul Frankenlust or St. John West Bay City joined the new congregation, which affiliated itself with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The congregation's first house of worship was a wooden frame building at the corner of Ivy and Kiesel Streets previously used as the Salzburg Band Hall in the Salzburg area of what was then West Bay City. It was purchased for $1,500, and decorated as a church for $70. A used organ was bought for $100. After addition of a steeple and pews, and laying of a cornerstone, the building was dedicated as a church on June 15, 1902. The cost of the structure was listed in the dedication booklet as $81,000. Zion has supported a parochial day school since early in its history. In November, 1903, the congregation purchased the Salzburg District School (Stone School) from St. Paul Frankenlust. This school, which had been formed in 1883, came with a school building, a teacher's house and a teacher. It was located on what is now Woodland Avenue between Kiesel and Raymond Streets. In 1916, a larger red brick schoolhouse was built to replace the old frame structure. This building was located on the northwest corner of Ivy and Raymond Streets. In addition to four classrooms where eight grades were taught, the new building contained a second-floor auditorium, stage, kitchen, and basement bowling alleys. Membership grew rapidly in the years leading up to and following World War I and by the mid-1920's it became necessary to plan and build a new church.

1926-1950


Our present house of worship was dedicated on November 23, 1930, is a Gothic structure of Massachusetts granite standing on the corner of Ivy and Kiesel Streets. Worship was first conducted only in the German Language. Soon English services were occasionally held as well until in 1932 English service attendees outnumbered German service attendee. However, services were conducted in both German and English languages until 1964, when the last regularly scheduled German service was held. As World War II was drawing to a close, the congregation decided to prepare for the coming baby boom with a new school facility as well as a parish hall with a gymnasium. †This was intended to serve the needs of the various groups and organizations within the congregation. In October of 1949, the current school building was dedicated and named the Zion Lutheran Memorial Building in tribute to the men and women of Zion who served in World War II. It provided the congregation with five classrooms, a gymnasium, three meeting rooms, an administrative office, a kitchen, a dining room, and eight bowling alleys.

1951-2000


In 1957,†an addition with three more classrooms, a faculty workroom and a full basement was added to the south side of the building to accommodate the over 300 students then enrolled in the day school. Zion Lutheran School currently serves the academic excellence needs of children from preschool through the eighth grade. Music is a vibrant part of Zion's historical and current identity. In the past, Zion has had an organized band, mixed adult, children's, treble and male choirs. † Now Zion is home to an orchestra, school band, handbell choir, men's choir, a mixed choir, children's choirs for all age groups, and a contemporary Worship praise team. Social organizations, too, have played a strong role in Zion's ministry, offering fellowship and providing financial support for ministry projects through its groups of women, men, couples, families, and youth. The Zion Ladies Guild has been a ministry for over 100 years. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League and the Lutheran Layman's League have had active chapters at Zion for many years. Couples organizations like the Friendship Club (formerly Mr and Mrs) and the Couples Club (formerly the Young Married Couples Club) provide social interaction for their membership. Zion has also chartered a Boy Scout Troop for over 50 years, a Cub Scout Pack for over 40 years, and a Girl Scout Troop for many years on and off. Reaching out to the community, Zion participates regularly in the Saginaw Valley Blood Program, Bay County Food Pantry, and CROP Walk. Within the Lutheran community, Zion has been instrumental in the establishment of three other Lutheran churches in Bay County: Faith in Bangor Township, Pilgrim in Essexville and Mt. Olive in northwest Bay City. Over the past century, eleven pastors, five pastoral assistants, one interim pastor, five vicars, ten principals and over ninety-five teachers have served Zion Congregation. Many men have been confirmed at Zion and gone on to serve God and his church as ordained ministers. As well as many men and women being confirmed and going on to serve God and his church as Commissioned Lutheran School Teachers. Many confirmed members of Zion have gone on to serve God and his church as ordained ministers or as Commissioned Lutheran School Teachers.

2001 - present


In 2001, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bay City, Michigan, celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding on July 23, 1901. Zion culminated a year of activities and celebration with an outdoor service. Rev. Robert Mayer, son of Dr. Herman Mayer and son of Zion congregation was guest preacher. A large tent was erected on the south blacktopped playground area of the school. A day long picnic with games and activities, including a dunk tank, horseshoes and more. Many former and current members gathered to enjoy worship and fellowship on this hallmark day. To honor of our 100th anniversary, plans were made to expand our church building and do upgrades to the school. Ideas from the members were turned over to a building committee. Zion member Erich Gaertner once again signed on as general contractor. Before any construction began, the congregation committed to raising 60 percent of the funds needed for this new project. The building project was started in 2004, with the dedication being held in January 2005. The project would be done in 2 phases; Phase I was the church with the target budget of $750,000, with the final cost being $900,000. Phase II was the school with the cost being about the same. The approximate cost of the 3,500 sq. ft. expansion at the church and school renovations were just under $2 million and the debt for that work was paid off to zero about 18 months after Phase II was completed. This new wing houses the Pastor's office, multi-purpose/fellowship room, multi-purpose music room, barrier free entrance to the church as well as a barrier free bathroom, storage room, janitor's closet as well as a reception area. The multi-purpose and learning room is hooked up with satellite feed and is used for Bible Study, Confirmation Classes and community events. The carpeting throughout the church was updated as well. The school upgrade, which was part of our overall expansion, became Phase II. Upgrades included new finishes to the central corridor, classrooms repainted with flooring updates, new parking lot for staff and barrier-free access. New surface on paved playground are. Bowling alley and basement received new heating and ventilation systems. During this time we began a Contemporary Worship Service that is held on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. We are still the only church in our area that holds this type of service on a weekly basis. A new video system was installed in the church that included a drop down screen, soundboard system and camera. We started live streaming our services, including funerals and weddings on Facebook, which we have had excellent response. WiFi was made available in the sanctuary, offices and meeting rooms. Pastor Bill was getting ready to retire and we began the call process for a new pastor. Shortly after our new pastor, Paul Kruse arrived; we went to work on obtaining a Family Life Intern. The person in this position would concentrate on growing our youth program, VBS, and Sunday School/Kids for Christ. All were here for a very short period of time. Pastor Steve came to Zion in 2018, as our Interim Pastor to help us get ready to call our next pastor. Also during this time we have added a new Music Director, Bobbie Jo Upton, and Julie Glumm as Principal. Both of these ladies have brought new ideas, excitement, and uplifting attitudes to Zion. Pastor Steve has taken us through our history, making us realize that this is the first time Zion Church and School has ever been without a pastor and the first time we have gone through the call process, without a pastor on staff. Understanding our past makes us want to change for the future. Remembering who we are but moving forward to adapt to a new way of thinking. Bringing the Word of God out into our community including; the people that live around us, in our school and church, people in our community, and even the people that we touch through th

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