Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Mondovi
Wisconsin
100 Years in Christ and the Spirit Lives On
Written by Pastor Paul Woebekking in 2003 for the 100th Anniversary of Zion
What courage and spirit our forefathers must have had! To immigrate from their native country in Europe and make the long journey to Mondovi, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. This was in the days when the only forms of transportation were by foot, on horseback, or in covered wagons pulled by oxen. Most of this migration took place from 1850 to 1900.
1903 - 1913
In the later 1800's there were some active Lutheran Churches in the neighboring Pepin County. The Pastor at that time was Rev. H.A. Handrich. He was truly a missionary and started what was known as a new station in Mondovi in 1902. By Easter Sunday of 1903, an organized congregation was established. Services were held in various homes. Involved in forming the new congregation were the families of the following: Fred Magadance, John H. Deutscher, Wilhelm Linse, Bernard Tanz, Carl Steinke, and Sam Bollinger.
The congregation grew and before long it was apparent that a building to worship in was a necessity. With plans in place to build a new church, worship services were held in the Methodist Church in the interim. The new church was a white-frame building built on the corner of West Hudson Street and South Harrison Street. The cost of the building was $1500.00. This structure was dedicated to the Lord on December 3, 1905. In the meantime, congregations were in place in Eleva and Gilmanton, and along with Mondovi were called Trinity Parish. In the winter of 1906, the Mondovi congregation was officially incorporated with the State of Wisconsin as the Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church of Mondovi. This same year it was decided to become affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
After Pastor Handrich left in 1907, Pastor F. Kersten served the congregation for 2 years. The first recorded marriage was in 1909. This same year Pastor F. Schwertfeger accepted the call to serve here. He was in his first year in the ministry. He was instrumental in starting morning classes for the children of the congregation. He also started the first what we call today Vacation Bible School. There were no automobiles so the children came to classes with the horse and buggy. The Bible History, Catechism, and reading and writing were taught in German. In 1910 the congregation acquired a pump organ. This was much used for services, choir, and Christmas Programs. Mission Festivals were held in the park north of the high school. Over the years this congregation has been blessed with very talented organists and choir members.
Pastor F. Kersten
Pastor F. Schwertfeger
Pastor Karl Wedel
1913 -1924
When Pastor Schwertfeger left in 1913, Pastor Karl Wedel served the congregations for 12 years. He was the pastor during World War I and it is very likely that this was the time when church services began in English rather than German. He organized the Ladies Aid in 1923. By their second meeting, there were 22 ladies as members. Meetings were held in homes until the middle 1930s and then they were held in the city building until the new church was built. Sunday School was started in 1925.
1925 - 1962
Rev. Albert Hemer came to serve in 1925. The great depression took place while he served Trinity Congregations. In 1930 it was voted to build a parsonage not to cost over $5000.00. This was built on West Main Street and was occupied by the Hemer family during their time here. In 1942 Pastor Hemer entered the military and served as a Chaplain in World War II. He served in that capacity from 1942-1946. While he was in the service the churches were served by Pastor Walter Huebner who was sometimes assisted by the Rev. Eugene Linse.
Pastor Albert Hemer
Around 1946 and 1947 there was some serious talk about building a new church, as the members felt the need for a larger facility due to increased membership and lack of fellowship room. At a meeting, it was unanimously agreed to build a new church. An architect was hired and he presented the congregations with two plans. The process of quarrying rock was started with the rock coming from Indiana. A site for the new church property owned by F.W. Knowles on East Main Street was purchased. The cornerstone for the building was laid in 1950. Meanwhile, the congregation had a chance to sell their present church to the school and decided to do so. It was then necessary to store the pews, altar, and other furniture until it could be moved into the new church. In the meantime, services were held in the local theater. What a great feeling it must have been when the congregation marched as a body from the theater to their new church!
The new church was a beautiful brick structure with a striking stone cross on the front of the building as well as one in the front of the church. It had a basement with a kitchen and bathrooms, as well as fellowship space. Another special feature was the bell. What was unusual about the bell was that, because it weighed 950 pounds, the bell did not swing. Instead, the clapper is swung electrically from downstairs to ring the bell. Funds for the new church were derived from donations invested by members of the congregation and other interested people, as well as neighboring congregations, These funds were sent to the North Wisconsin District Church Extension Fund by the church treasurer. Then as funds were needed he would apply for them to keep the project going. At one time it was in the plans to just do the basement for the time being and finish the church proper later. It was decided to go ahead with the entire project and the new structure was dedicated on October 14, 1951.
The new church has a seating capacity of 250 persons and was completed at a cost of $115,173.00. The altar, pews and other furnishings from the old church were used up until the time of dedication and some until 1954 when the new altar, pulpit, lectern, and fount were installed. A new organ was purchased in 1953. The same year the land to the west of the church and down toward the creek was donated to the church and that completed the project.
In 1954 the decision was made to offer individual cups as well as the common cup for communion. The Pastor's wife cared for the linens on the altar until an altar guild was formed to prepare the Lord's table for communion. Pastor Hemer's health was failing and he was called to his eternal rest in 1962. During these years the area churches were served by four Vicars. They were: Tom Jacobson 1959-1960, Clyde Burmeister 1960-1961, William Couch 1961-1962, and Morris Kirkhoff 1962-1963. The church council was increased from 3 to 5 members. Until this time the secretarial duties were done by the Pastor and volunteers. A secretary was hired during this time. The Walther League was an active organization for the young people of the congregation. The men had much fun playing dartball and also participating in the Lutheran Laymens' League. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League was an organization for women and later the meetings were held in conjunction with the Ladies Aid.
1963 - 1968
From 1963-1968 the congregation was served by the Rev. Victor Bittner. In 1963 the parsonage on West Main Street was sold and a different one was purchased on West Mill Street. The Bittner family was the first family to occupy it as a parsonage. This same year it was decided at an annual meeting to become independent from the other congregations. The church would no longer be known as Trinity Lutheran Church. It was decided to use the original incorporated name of Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church.
Pastor Victor Bittner
Pastor Norman Ruthenbeck
1969 - 1982
Pastor Norman Ruthenbeck answered the call to Zion in 1969. The mortgage for the church was burned on Thanksgiving Day in 1970. In 1975 it was voted to sell the existing parsonage as the pastor was willing to purchase his own residence. The old residence on the church property which had been used for Sunday School was taken down in 1973. By this time members felt a need for more space. It was decided to build a fellowship hall at the rear of the church. This would bring the kitchen, dining room, and restrooms to street level. Also included were office space and a library. This was done in 1976, at a cost of $83,000.00, and made it possible to have the Sunday School rooms in the basement. The basement was remodeled in 1980. Pastor Ruthenbeck served Zion until 1982.
1983 - 1988
In 1983 Pastor Wilbur Zielke became the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, as it was commonly called. A new organ was purchased in 1984. The purchase price was $33,000.00. It is a combination of electronics and pipes. A new large sign denoting that this was a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church was erected in the front of the church. Another sign was already in place to give the times of worship There was not sufficient light in the church so new suspended light fixtures were installed. New carpeting was also installed. Two years later kneeling rails and padded pew seats were installed. Pastor celebrated his 35th year in the ministry during his service here. A special surprise service was held in his honor for this occasion.
Pastor Wilbur Zielke
Pastor David Maki
1989 - 2000
The Reverend David Maki answered the call to Zion in 1989. During this time the new contemporary services were held on designated Sundays. A new electronic piano keyboard was purchased. A Praise Team was organized in addition to the regular choir. Some worship services were held in the Parish Hall in hot weather due to lack of air conditioning in the church proper. The name of the church was changed to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1992. Scott Brown was installed as Director of Christian Education in 1993. He worked with the youth groups, confirmation, and other activities at Zion until 1997. A beautiful new wooden cross was installed in the front of the church. A Parish Nurse was added to the roster of church employees. Over the years there have been many faithful custodians and church workers as well as the elected officers of the congregation. Pastor Maki served until the year 2000.
1989 - 2000
Zion was without a pastor for almost 2 years. During this time most of the worship services were faithfully led by retired Pastor Paul Bittner.
2002 -
Pastor Paul Woebbeking became the shepherd of Zion in 2002. The organization of the centennial celebration has been an ongoing project for the past year or more. The church now has the long-awaited air conditioning just in time for the festivities.
Over the years there have been many groups working in the church besides the above mentioned. There are numerous Bible Study groups and Circle Bible Study groups. The Walther League has been replaced by the Living H20 and for the younger youth, Kids for Christ. Zion's Vacation Bible School has always been a learning and fun time for all involved. The church library has a good supply of good reading material as well as audio-visual aids. Many students have gone to Bible Camps, some as counselors. A number of the congregation have gone on to become ministers, missionaries, and other related church workers. There have been a number of mission trips to Tijuana. Many parishioners have taken part in retreats, international, as well as local and state conventions. All of these activities along with the word and work of God and the faith that has been instilled in the members have made the church what it is today.
May the Lord continue to bless Zion Lutheran Church and its members and may the Spirit continue to LIVE ON!
Pastor Paul Woebekking
The Lord has truly continued to bless Zion Lutheran Church and its members and the spirit is living on! Zion will be celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2028. Look for The Next 25 Years' history to be added soon.