History of Zion Lutheran Church
1897 - 2010

One hundred thirteen years ago, in 1897 on May 9, fourteen courageous men put their trust in God with their abiding faith and with the help of Rev. J.J. Kern of Portland, formed Zion Lutheran Church. (Women were not considered members, as they were not allowed to vote at that time.)

The original church, located at what is now 12^th & Division, was purchased from the Oregon Evangelical Church at the end of 1897. This served as Zion’s place of worship until 1938. In 1898 Pr. A. Schoenberg came to Zion and served the church until 1901. The first class of three young people was confirmed in 1899. According to existing records all proceedings were conducted and recorded in a business-like manner. Accurate financial accounts were kept, much to the credit of this newly formed congregation.

Pr. Charles Boehner served from 1903 until 1916 giving some stability in congregational leadership. After his leaving, the Ladies Aid Society was formed in 1916. Zion was provided supply pastors Fred Lucas and William Krazberger of Oregon City from 1916 to 1919. These pastors alternated services every three weeks. In 1919 women were given the right to vote on church affairs but seemed to be active participants before that time as Mrs. Roffler questioned procedures on financial matters in a congregational meeting in 1917. She was also the first president of the Ladies Aid Society.

Pr. Lucas served the congregation from 1919-1920. Supply pastors Berthold and Deck served the congregation from 1920-1923.

Gus Lorenz recorded the first congregational minutes in English in 1921 and English replaced German as the language used at church services in 1925. Gus served as recording secretary until 1925. He was followed by August Dietzman who served as secretary until 1947. Phillip Rusert, a seminary student, came as a supply pastor in 1923 and accepted the call the same year after his ordination and served until 1926. During his tenure the interior of the church was renovated.

Zion was once again served by supply pastors, Deck and Engeset until February 1930 when Pr. Engeset accepted the call and served until 1926. Pr. Weitzenkamp followed in 1936 and in 1938 Zion moved to 4^th & Garfield in Camas. It was under his leadership that the present church was built and completed in 1939. Pr. Weitzenkamp served until 1941 and this period was the beginning time of more stable pastorates. A stable economy provided by the paper mill has been duly reflected in the growth and financial position of the congregation. It grew rapidly during the 1940s and plans were made to build a Social Hall and to remodel and enlarge the sanctuary.

Rev. Werner Jessen served Zion from 1941-1955. It was during this time that Zion became independent and was no longer a mission church. Zion did well during those years in spite of World War II. In April 1944, Zion became debt free and a "Mortgage Burning Service" marked the occasion.

In October of 1951, Pr. & Mrs. Jessen were honored at a surprise reception celebrating their decade of service to Zion.

In 1954 funding for the Social Hall and sanctuary began. Pr. Russell Luke came in 1955 and served until 1960. It was during his tenure that plans and fund raising for expansion of Zion became a reality. It took four years from the time he started until the dedication of the newly remodeled church and Social Hall in June 1959.

The first child born to a pastor’s family at Zion occurred in 1961 to Pr. Eric and Svava Sigmar who served from 1961-1966. The parsonage next to the church was a bit cramped for a family with four children, so the congregation approved the purchase of a lot for a new parsonage to be built in 1961. A lovely home was built on 5^th Avenue to accommodate the new pastor’s family.

Pr. Clifford Berggren served Zion for three years from 1966-1969. It was under his leadership the youth of the church were organized into the Lutheran Student Development Program.

Pr. Burton Schroeder served from 1969-1980. He encouraged active participation in the Couples Club, later expanded to include singles. The Sunday School was growing and a Director of Christian Education was employed part time. The year 1972 brought the 75^th anniversary of the church, which continued to grow and prosper.

Pr. Lowell (Bud) Erickson followed from 1980 until his retirement in 1992. It was during this time that Zion was again visionary with property acquisition of the entire block surrounding the church. The Social Hall was renovated along with the church basement and the old parsonage was converted into church offices. The sanctuary was remodeled; a room for the Altar Guild was added. Member John Vraspir built a unique movable altar. The last piece of property on the block was purchased in 1984. In 1985 the Sunday School space was remodeled and in 1986 the parking lot was blacktopped. A committee was formed in 1986 to oversee the remodeling of the sanctuary that was dedicated on the 90^th anniversary of Zion, May 10, 1987.

As Pr. Erickson was an intern supervisor, Zion was blessed with the experience of these soon-to-be pastors: Charles Mantey, 1981-82; Jill Knueppel, 1982-83; Jenny Johnson, 1983-84; Nancy Toensing, 1984-85; Marty Ericson, 1985-86; Steve Leuzinger, 1986-87; Scott Hackler, 1987-88; Scott Gjevre, 1988-89; Greg Isaacson, 1989-90; and David Norland, 1991-92.

Pr. Kim Frenz was installed in 1993. His youth, humor and vigor were an inspiration and a factor in attracting young families to the congregation. He served until 1999 and during his term planted additional seeds for newer facilities as he recognized the need to accommodate community growth. In the fall of 1996 – spring of 1997 the church was painted in preparation for the 100^th anniversary, celebrated May 17-18, 1997.

Pr. Anne Gojio served as interim pastor the summer and fall of 1999, helping the church transition from a pastoral church to a program church and reinforced the congregation in future vision and need for facilities to compliment our mission.

In November 1999, Pr. Anne was on her way to new challenges in the Seattle area and Zion was blessed with a new pastor, Tom Tweed and wife Hannelore. Pr. Tom has been writing his own legacy ever since, with the solidification of programs, ramping up new staff and developing a new excitement in the congregation with the conception of the building proposal, which will enlarge the narthex of the church, install an elevator, and create expanded, accessible office space. The proposal was accepted by the congregation and the addition to the church was finished in 2009.