Chapter Twelve
Zion Lutheran

By James Wudarczyk

The tiny church at the corner of 37th and Bandera Streets is the oldest church structure in Lawrenceville, having been in use since March 8, 1874. Its congregation may also take pride in the fact that this church has provided for the spiritual needs of the community since 1868; thus ranking the church as one of the oldest continuing denominations in the neighborhood.

A centennial history of the parish written in 1968 pointed out that on March 30, 1868, nine men, believing that a Lutheran Church was needed in the community, laid plans for the purchase of property on which an edifice could be built. These early church pioneers drafted a preliminary constitution, and in the ensuing months erected a frame church. Rev. C. Engelder accepted the position as the church’s first pastor, and Mr. A. Mueller was credited with being the first teacher. At this early stage in the congregation’s history, there were twelve voting members, and all services were conducted in the German language. To help ease the financial burden of establishing a new church, First Trinity Lutheran Church served as the mother church and was instrumental in giving whatever aid possible.

In 1872 the congregation joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, which later became known as the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

Within a few years the wooden church was inadequate to serve the growing population, and plans were laid for the purchase of an adjoining lot, on which the present edifice was built. Dedication services took place on March 8, 1874. In order to gain more seating, side balconies and an organ loft were constructed in 1886.

In 1880 a day school was started with sixty students enrolled. It was also the duty of the pastor, Reverend Martin Hall, to assist with teaching in the school. In 1886 a brick structure was erected to serve as the schoolhouse. According to the church history, “Teacher August Schumann, who served Zion with outstanding dedication, was installed as teacher on the same day the school was dedicated, August 29, 1886. The year 1897 boasted the highest enrollment-155 children. This Christian day school continued in operation for fifty-five years.”

When the parish celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1893, church statistics indicated that there were 154 voting members, and 1,272 persons had been baptized, 528 confirmed, 268 marriages solemnized, and 453 had received Christian burial. “Pastor Hein served for almost 26 years. His successors were the Rev. W. Luessenhop in 1906 and the Rev. William Lochner in 1916.”

The church history went on to indicate that for each anniversary, improvements were made to the facilities. For the 50th anniversary celebrated in 1918, under the direction of Rev. W. C. Roeper, the church was painted, beautiful art glass replaced the old windows, and electric lights were installed. Ten years later, to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the church, the congregation installed a new pipe organ. By 1928 services were conducted in both German and English.

In continuing its study of the past, the church history went on to note, “In 1927 a special service commemorating the 50 years of service on the Church Council of Mr. John Loresch, Sr., was held. Mr. Loresch and many others of the forefathers gave unstintingly of their time, talents, and means. It was Mr. Henry Bokermann, a life-long member of Zion, who presented the parsonage on South Millvale Avenue to the congregation in the twenties.”

In spite of the Great Depression, the congregation, under the direction of Reverend Carl Grahn, managed to raise enough funds so that for the 70th anniversary the interior and exterior of the church was painted.

According to the church history, “The Diamond Anniversary was observed on October 10, 1943. The Rev. Frederic Schumann, then of Salt Lake City and the son of a former teacher August Schumann, preached the sermon at the morning service. The Rev. William Lochner of Milwaukee was guest preacher for the evening service. An anniversary supper and social were held on October 12. A Ladies’ Aid anniversary service was conducted by the Rev. W. McLaughlin on October 14. On October 17 the Rev. Conrad J. Engelder of Detroit officiated at the special Sunday morning service. Pastor F. Schumann preached that evening at a confirmand reunion service.

“Throughout the 75 years’ existence of the congregation, 2,658 souls were baptized, 1,390 confirmed, 602 marriages performed, and 1,139 given Christian burial.”

Like other congregations, the members of Zion Lutheran welcomed the end of World War II, and in the fall of 1946 sponsored a joyous celebration known as “the Returned Service Men’s Reunion.”

When the Reverend Carl Grahn passed away on Christmas Day, 1948, the congregation declared a six-week mourning period for the man who was remembered for his “fatherly kindness and leadership.” A pair of altar vases and brass candleholders was donated by the Grahn family in memory of their husband and father. The congregation also erected a bronze plaque honoring the memory of Pastor Grahn for the church narthex.

The next pastor of note mentioned in the church history was Reverend Arnold Gross, who was installed on June 5, 1949. During his pastorate the articles of incorporation were adopted on April 16, 1950, and a new constitution was adopted in 1952. Unfortunately Reverend Gross was ill for a prolonged period during his tenure at Zion, and Herman K. Dietrich, Jr., a student, assumed many of the duties of the pastor. Reverend Gross passed away in February of 1955.

“The Rev. Arthur M. Bicker, who was serving a parish in New Haven, Indiana, accepted the call to succeed the Rev. Gross and was installed on July 10, 1955. During the pastorate of Pastor Bicker, renovations were made to the parsonage and church. For the 90th anniversary, an extensive program of refurbishing the whole church structure was undertaken. This program included the removal of the side balconies, installation of a new floor for the nave, the covering of walls and ceiling, the repainting of all woodwork and the chancel, the rearrangement of seating to form a center aisle, and a reconditioning of the organ. New chandeliers were installed in the nave. A service of rededication was held on October 26, 1958.”

During Bicker’s pastorate additional projects to modernize and refurbish the physical plant took place. “The church basement was completely remodeled to accommodate large meetings and the Sunday School classes. A modern kitchen, which had previously been located on the second floor of the former school building, was also provided. Many of the members gave of their time and labor and contributed much of the material to make this a functional efficient part of the church. The newly-refurnished church basement was dedicated on Nov. 11, 1962.”

After Bicker left to assume the pastorate of a church in Cove, Maryland, Reverend Samuel W. McCune, was installed as pastor of Zion Lutheran on September 8, 1963. Like his predecessor, McCune continued to work to keep up the church properties. “Several structural changes were made to the church property in the autumn of 1963. Two concrete-block entranceways, leading to the church basement, were added. At the same time, on the first floor of the Parish hall, a handsome study for the pastor was provided.”

The church history also noted, “In February, 1964, the Church ‘Council approved the proposal of the trustees to refinish all of the chancel furniture white and gold to match the altar and pulpit and also to change the lectern so that the altar furnishings would be uniform. The massive hand-carved wooden eagle lectern, which had graced the chancel for many years was moved to the narthex as the guest register. The parsonage on South Millvale Avenue was sold to West Penn Hospital for $16,500.00, $10,000.00 of which was place into ‘God’s Bank,’ the Church Extension fund, and the remainder in savings accounts.

“In the fall of 1964 the first floor Sunday School room in the Parish Hall was redecorated with freshly painted walls and furniture and with a vinyl tile floor. One year later, the second floor rooms were repainted, and modern lighting fixtures were installed. Again the work was done entirely by the members. To add charm to the grounds, a post-top lantern was installed.”

In August of 1965, a contract worth $9,135.00 was signed with Siedle Organ Company of Bridgeville to over-haul the church organ. “The completely rebuilt instrument, with a new console, was dedicated in a special service on February 12, 1967. Dr. Harold Schnaible of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Penn Hills, played the dedicatory service.”

In keeping with the tradition of the church, the 100th anniversary saw another renovation program, which began in the fall of 1967. At that time the church interior was painted, and in the following February, 1968, the interior was painted. “In place of the elaborate decoration of the past years and the strong colors of recent years, the nave was painted colonial white and the chancel a ‘Himmel blau.’ The ends and backs of the pies, as well as the organ case, were also painted white. Gold and dark brown were used sparingly but most effectively as trim colors. Other significant changes and additions were made as follows: custom radiator covers were installed; special lighting was provided behind the altar and a recessed overhead light was placed in the ceiling of the nave to brighten the chancel; pew candelabra were added; a new water fountain was installed in the Sunday School; the robe of Christ on the altar-relief was changed from the traditional red to white; striking lanterns were added to the front entrance; and the sacristy was completely renovated.“

Apparently at one point the church had a dove, which symbolized the Holy Spirit, was painted on the chancel ceiling. However, it appeared from the parish records that during one of the renovations, this symbol was covered over. “The wish was expressed by many members to restore the symbol of the dove to the chancel. The trustees proposed that a hand-carved wooden dove be made and suspended from the ceiling of the chancel. Such a dove was crafted in Italy and was dedicated on Sunday, September 1, 1968.

“The second major anniversary celebration was the Centennial Congregational Banquet, which was held on May 26, 1968, in the Georgian Room of Hotel Webster Hall. The Rev. Clement W. K. Lee, Director of Broadcasting for the American Bible Society, was the speaker. Music was provided by the men’s choir.

“Special anniversary services were held on Sunday, September 29, 1968. Pastor Frederic E. Schumann, Institutional Chaplain, preached at the morning service; Pastor Paul W. Streufert, D.D., Vice-President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, proclaimed God’s Word at the afternoon service.

“In the historical account of the hundred years of service to the Lord at Zion, these figures might be of interest: 2,913 baptisms; 695 marriages; 1,581 renewals of baptismal vows by confirmation; 1,304 Christian burials.”

The commemorative booklet also showed the members of the Centennial Church Council as being: President, Harry Reagle; Vice-President, Charles Schwab; Secretary, Homer Gibson; Financial Secretary, Andrew Huemmrich; Treasurer, Henry Huemrich; Robert Anderegg; William Huemmrich; John Hugerl; George Johnston; Robert Kuepper; Jesse Lozier; William Molkenthin; Alexander Nicker, Jr.; Herman Schelat; Edward Smith; Albert Stibbe; Max Wannagat.