A Hundred  plus Years of History

Survey work conducted in the summers of 1921 and 1922 showed the need for an English-language Lutheran congregation in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.  The first worship service for Zion Lutheran took place during the summer of 1922, with more services to follow in the spring and summer of 1923.  The congregation officially was organized as Zion English Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday, September 9, 1923.  A constitution, and by-laws were adopted.  Twenty-seven people signed the charter roll in the first two weeks.  By December 11, 1923, the fledgling congregation had obtained a lease to occupy the Scandinavian Hall at 236 John Street, with option to purchase, and bought the property in 1926.  Members had to work hard to make the old hall look like a church.  The original altar, for example, was improvised from wooden packing crates.

 

A major expansion in 1929 saw the addition of a 20-foot chancel with vestry.  Excavation provided a meeting room underneath the small frame church building.  Repairs and additions continued through the years to make the old meeting room look more "churchly."  By the early 1950, a larger and more modern facility was needed.  Zion's congregation broke ground for the present church building on March 2, 1958.  The dedication service was Sunday, September 7, 1958.  An educational wing was added to Zion in 1964.  Between 1960 and 1970 a German language congregation, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, worshipped in the former facilities of Zion Church on John Street.  St. Mark's German congregation disbanded in 1970, and their people joined us.

 

In December 2010 the merger with the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of St. Mary’s Finnish Lutheran Church brought new flavour and enrichment to Zion’s already multicultural church family.

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 Zion’s Building

You will enter the church by way of a grey-oak paneled narthex.  Three doorways open into the spacious nave and sanctuary.  The arches of the A-frame ceiling soar 40 feet into the air.  Looking upward, you will see a large cross suspended high above the freestanding altar and its circular altar rail.  The arms of the cross extend in all directions, recalling Christ's words to carry the Gospel to all the nations of the earth.  The circular rings around the cross speak of God's eternal love for humankind in Christ Jesus.

 

Martin Luther's rose is carved many times into the oak face of the altar.  Inscribed into the pulpit are symbols of the four evangelists:  Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  The stained-glass windows along the right wall are the work of Henry Lee Willet Studios of Philadelphia.  They depict the seasons of the church year. 

 

A major renovation was realized in 1997/1998.  It included a new office complex, a barrier-free washroom, a kitchenette, and a new heating and A/C system. 

 

The sanctuary was re-designed where high above the chancel and altar, a magnificent Luther's Rose stained glass window was added.  Designed and crafted by Obata Studios of Toronto, this lovely window speaks not only to worshippers inside the sanctuary, but also travellers who pass by.

 

In 2013, an addition to building was completed featuring a ground level accessible fellowship centre with modern kitchen.  Redesigned offices and meeting rooms came under the same peaked roof to complete a design complimentary to the sanctuary structure.  It was named St. Mary’s † Zion Fellowship Centre and served to remind us of the contribution the Finnish parishioners made to this expansion.

 

Many events and congregational meals were enjoyed in the Centre until 2022.  Covid conditions, and a reduced congregation necessitated a smaller space to maintain; the addition became a leased property.

  

Zion’s Worship Space

 Clear windows overlook the church courtyard and memorial garden.  New plants and trees were added in honour or memory of loved on the completion of landscaping around the fellowship centre.  The new design includes benches for quiet reflection.

 

In 2008, a wooden banner by Zion artist, David Rankin was placed above the baptismal font that reminds us that we are “Baptized to Serve”.

 

As of 2011, a beautiful memorial gift enhances the window space above the baptismal font.  It is “A Christian Journey” in four stained glass panels: Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and the Death and Resurrection by Zion artist, Maxine Lalonde.

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Celebration

In the fall of 2024, the congregation of Zion Evangelical Church celebrated 100 years as a congregation in Sault Ste. Marie.  An outdoor banner designed by graphic designer, Mikeila Varano, news articles, a bookmark, a video, a booklet, and history display in the narthex all shared our cause for celebration with the community.  Members gathered for a banquet on a Saturday evening; then an Anniversary, Sunday Worship Service saw a full sanctuary.  Past clergy, and the members of the city's church community participated.  Gifted musician, Ryan LaRue returned to Zion, his home congregation, to play for this service with the rich organ accompaniment provided by his personal digitally created instrument. ( This was the inspiration for restoring organ music on a regular basis to Sunday worship using our keyboards and modern technology. )   Zion's anniversary celebrations and worship were filled with praise and thanksgiving.  Acknowledgement of the diversity and dedication of members past and present was paramount.   With grateful hearts we celebrated and remembered our call.....  our mission.

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