History of Local Churches

 

Originally, church services were held in people's houses, including the house of my Great Great Grandfather, Charles Sternitzky in Lynn Township.

1863 - land was bought by the German Evangelical Lutheran Church Congregation for a small church which is now just a ruined wood building on the edge of a wooded field south of Lynn - about halfway from Lynn to the current Zion American Lutheran Church.

1864 - incorporation of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lynn Township.

1870 - land was purchased for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (now the Zion American Lutheran Church). Stained glass window over the East door still reads "Ev. Luth. Zions Kirche", referring to the original 1863 congregation.

1882 - the congregation was split due to an issue regarding predestination. The controversy wasn't a localized issue, it was an issue among the pastors (I believe it was a nation-wide issue).

1883 - an independent congregation established: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession. Services held at the Evangelical Society Church 2 miles south, 1/4 mile west of current Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (at Mapleworks).

1884 - the  Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession bought land at Mapleworks corner and built their first church.

1898 - the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession bought land for current site. Established the attached cemetery in 1899.

1905 - a new church building was built for the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession and the previous church was sold to become the Granton Post Office. 

1932 - Missouri Synod met with pastors from Northern Wisconsin and Northern Michigan; met at the Zion Lutheran Church at Granton (Mapleworks).

At some time it was called the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church at Mapleworks, and later called the Zion Lutheran Church at Granton before it was joined with the Missouri Synod. 

          Sources:

          "Granton Community Memories 1856-1979"

           "Zion Evangelical Lutheran Missouri Synod 1883-1983" Centennial Book.

           "Zion American Lutheran Church 1864-1964 Centennial Book".