So it happened, that the Rev. Socrates Henkel, residing in New Market, inspired by the needs of the people and prompted by his call as a minister of the Gospel,
secured the use of Kipps' schoolhouse and preached there the first time August 21, 1853, on the text, Mark 6:12, "And they went out and preached that men should repent.".
From that time forward, Pastor Henkel preached every month, meeting with encouragement as the days passed.
In six months time the preaching point took on the form of an organization, for officers were elected on February 12, 1854 as follows:
Elders: Albert Flemings and John Lowry;
Deacons: Moses Tusing, Michael Hess, George Lohr, and Peter Bushong; and leader of the singing: John Lowry.
Over the summer months services were held in the grove about the schoolhouse.
A stand was erected and the preacher spoke in the open air surrounded by his many listeners.
Sometimes on special occasions the pastor brought one of the brethren, like his uncle, the Rev. Ambrose Henkel, to assist him, and there would be preaching in German and English.
At times the audience numbered as high as 500.
The regular work of preaching continued year after year, throughout the four years of the war, and the five equally trying years that followed, but in December, 1870, the cry was heard.
Let us arise and build. Subscriptions were taken amounting to $589.20, besides 155 pounds of nails and 200 feet of plank.
It must have been hard to subscribe in those days, but here is the evidence that the people were in earnest and had a mind to work and to deny themselves for a church home.
The highest subscription was $35, of which amount there are four; one gave $25; another $20; three gave $15; seven gave $10 and the rest gave in smaller amounts, total 103 contributors.
It is evident that the whole neighborhood joined in and aided these earnest workers.
Thus the winter of 1870-1871 was spent, successfully proving that the spirit and means were at hand to carry out this noble project.
Where shall we build (?) did not long remain an unanswered question, for George Lohr and his good wife Magdalene, delighted with the success of the canvass for funds, came forward and
generously offered as a gift a one acre lot from their land. A most suitable location on an elevated wooded spot was found for the church and a cemetery adjoining.
The deed bears the date May 18, 1871. In it George Lohr, Sr. and Magdalene his wife convey to Isaac Lohr, Peter Bushong, Nicholas Kipps, and Samuel Olinger, trustees, the lot on which the church now stands.
Nine years later the congregation increased its holdings by the purchase of another acre of ground surrounding the first on 3 sides. This deed bears the date November 1, 1880, and in it,
Isaac Lohr and Malinda his wife convey to Nicholas Kipps, Samuel Olinger, and Isaac Lohr , trustees, all that parcel of ground described above.
This addition to the property must be considered a valuable improvement as it affords protection to the central lot, and a convenient space for trees, shelter and parking, sufficiently large for all future growth and expansion.
The money is promised, the lot provided, and the time is at hand to begin building operations.
Pastor Henkel called the congregation together and appointed a building committee which promptly came together and stepped off the foundation dimension 35 x 45.,
set the stakes and stretched the lines ready for the trench excavators.
The wall was built in the fall of 1871; the lumber was cut at the same time.
The frame was raised in the spring of 1872 followed by weatherboarding.
The pews and pulpit required considerable time, patience, and skill.
The outside was primed and the inside painted neatly in time for the dedication.
Three days were devoted to the services of consecration.
Pastor Henkel wrote with much joy in Our Church paper: "On Sunday large groups of people could be seen in all directions wending their ways to the church,
and entering it till it was filled to overflowing.". Pastor Henkel's addressed the "Act and Propriety of Dedicating Ourselves as well as Buildings to
the Service of God and the Purposes of Religion.".
He followed the remarks by the announcement that an unpaid balance of $486.23 rested upon this house of worship which they wished to dedicate to
the glory of God. He called for an expression of the spirit of liberality .
The response was noble and generous, amounting to $478.87½, covering the whole indebtedness, less a few dollars. One hundred and forty-three contributions
were received, ranging from $25.00 to fifty cents.
Many that belonged to no church gave liberally; members of sister congregations failed not to act generously; the members themselves gave again and again.
Freed of its burden of debt, the church was dedicated as Mt. Zion to the worship of Almighty God for the use of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
References: Rev. William J. Finck, D.D. (November 4, 1923) A brief History of Mount Zion Lutheran Church Leading up to the Time of the Dedication, November 24, 1872.
Dwight D. Kipps and Shirley L. Lee (2003). Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 100th Anniversary: 1853-2003