Our Story

A Brief History Of Zion Lutheran Church

Zion Lutheran Church was incorporated on December 15, 1894. The church was initially found by members of the sizable Norwegian community of Staten Island who wished to attend Lutheran worship and Sunday school in their native language. What was once a congregation of Norwegian immigrants has grown to a congregation that encompasses many ethnic traditions among its membership. The members of Zion reach out to the community of Staten Island in service and proclamation of the Gospel.

The current location (on the corner of Watchogue and Willowbrook Roads, in the Westerleigh section of Staten Island) is the third location for Zion. The original Avenue B church (in the Port Richmond section) was dedicated in 1901; the Bennett Street church (also in Port Richmond) was dedicated in 1921. The current church and buildings were dedicated in 1966.

Throughout the history of our congregation there has always been a special emphasis on Missions, Evangelism and Christian Education.

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Before Zion was a church it was a Sunday school.

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A Sunday school branch was established in the Mariners Harbor section, in 1912, and was later joined with the congregation.

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Another Sunday school was sponsored by Zion at Eltingville from 1918 to 1921, prior to the founding of Eltingville Lutheran Church.

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Since 1972 the lay members of Zion have been leading worship services at local nursing homes

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Since 1984, we have operated the Zion Lutheran Preschool.

We, the members of Zion, thank God for the opportunity to labor in the Lord's vineyard during the past one hundred years, and we rejoice at the prospect of pursuing our call to be the people of God in the future.

We express our gratitude to the hundreds of individuals, who have so faithfully served the Kingdom of God throughout our one hundred year history. We give thanks to the leadership of fine pastors, the giving of time and means by dedicated lay people, and the willingness ofย twenty-five members who accepted calls into the ordained ministry. We especially give thanks to almighty God for the many Blessings we have received and pray that he will continue to help us stand firm on His promises of blessing and salvation, through His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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