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Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ashippun

Incorporated in 1912

Dedication of new sanctuary 1918

1930

1930 confirmation

50th Anniversary for Ashippun Church

Incorporated in 1912

Dedication of new sanctuary 1918

1968

Dodge County Independent News, 09 05 1968

The Festival Service will be held at 10:15 a.m. on September 8. Pastor August Quandt of Oconomowoc will preach the anniversary sermon, after which a lunch will be served in the church basement.

A confirmation Reunion Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon, at which Pastor Alfred Wittmann of Immanuel, Lebanon, will be the speaker.

The history of Zion Lutheran Church is a story of people, pastors, buildings, organizations and change. It was the factor of synodical loyalty that sparked the beginning of the congregation. A group of people seeking to maintain loyalty to the Ohio Synod began meeting twice a month in the Carl Habeck home in 1911. Early in 1912 the congregation was incorporated and the constitution was adopted. The kitchen of a home located at the intersection of highways 67 and “O” became the place of worship for the congregation. An effort was made to have a dignified place to worship, so several members of the congregation made an altar, pulpit and pews for the meeting room.

The first members of the congregation were: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Liesener, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schwartz, Mr. and Mrs. August Liesener, Mr. and Mrs. William Neitzel, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Gennerman, and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Habeck.

During these infant years the congregation was served by Rev. William Lange. Pastor Lange was the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lebanon, and also served St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Sugar Island. This arrangement for pastoral services continued until 1937 when Rev. Lange died. The ministry of Rev. Lange was vital to the beginning and continued life of the congregation. In 1917 work began on the present church building and with the completion of the building in 1918 the services of dedication were held.

From 1941 until his death in 1946 we shared Pastor George Beckmann with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Sugar Island. During these years an increased amount of activity was evident in the life of the congregation. In 1943 major improvements were made in the church building. Special services were held at the completion of building changes and also on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the church building.

One year after the completion of the improvements, on Oct. 22, 1944, fire severely damaged the church building. The north steeple of the church was burned from the basement to the roof, severe smoke damage to the interior of the church ruined the redecoration job, and the organ was destroyed. The congregation voted immediately to repair the damaged building. On March 11, 1945, a service was held to rededicate the repaired building.

Following the death of Rev. Beckmann in 1946 the congregation called its first full time pastor. Rev. Heidtke accepted the call and served the congregation for a brief period of time.

Rev. August Quandt served from 1949 to 1964 and Rev. Wayne Radke has served from 1964 to the present time. During these years two major improvements were made in the church facilities. In 1957 a small addition was added to the back of the church. This structure provided space for bathrooms and one general purpose room. In 1965 the congregation purchased a frame house located at the back of the church. This building was purchased and renovated in order to provide much needed classroom Sunday School space.

The story of the changes in facilities and pastors is history of the congregation. These changes are very difficult to evaluate, but are a definite part of the congregation’s struggle to carry on its ministry in a changing community. The following examples indicate some of the changes that have taken place.

Language: The Congregation was started by people of German nationality. This factor deeply influenced the development of the congregation. All the pastors until 1964 were able to speak German and German worship services were held until that time.

Constitution Changes: During the 50 yr. period of the congregation’s life 3 major revisions of the constitution have been made. This change has been necessary to give the needed flexibility for the church’s ministry.

Organizations: In order to meet the needs of people and to provide specific areas of service, two organizations were started and continue to function.

Zion Mission Aid was organized in 1950. Mrs. Herman Nass was the first president. The organization now meets each month for Bible Study, programs and to plan various projects.

The Luther League was organized in 1948 to serve the needs of the youth of the congregation. At present the Luther League is operated as part of an area youth with the young people of Cross and Sugar Island congregations.

Christian Education: The history of the congregation shows a definite interest in the Christian instruction of its young people. Under the direction of a Board of Education the congregation now seeks to promote an extensive program of Christian Education for all people of the congregation.

100th Anniversary for Ashippun Church

2012

Watertown Daily Times, 11 07 2012

Zion Lutheran Church in Ashippun will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special service and reception on Sunday, starting at 2 p.m. Former members, friends and neighbors are invited to share in this time to remember the history of the church and its founding members.

A group of German-speaking farm families worshipped in Karl Habeck’s home at W1846 Roosevelt Road in the town of Ashippun starting in 1911. Other meetings were held in the home of Robert Liesener.

A church organization was formed on Dec. 26, 1911. A constitution was drafted and on Jan. 28, 1912, the congregation was incorporated according to the state. The founding members were the families of Karl Habeck, Robert Liesener, August Liesener, Albert Schwartz, Frederick Beck, Emil Gennerman, Herman Burchardt, Richard Bernhagen and William A. Neitzel.

A significant factor in the congregation’s early years was its German ethnicity. The first few years of the congregation’s existence were also the years in which the United States entered into World War I with Germany. All the pastors until 1964 were fluent in German and held regular German services.

During these infant years the congregation was served by the Rev. Wilhelm Lange. Lange was the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Sugar Island. This arrangement for pastoral services continued until Lange’s death in 1937.

According to the records of the Ohio Synod, church affiliation did not occur until 1916. Membership statistics were listed in 1913 as 39 members.

In 1917 work began on a new church building. Four lots were purchased in New Ashippun on what was then the farm of Herman Burchardt. Fifty-seven people attended the cornerstone laying on Sept. 9, 1917. There were 44 communicants and 57 souls in the congregation.

The dedication of the new sanctuary occurred on June 9, 1918, with more than 1,000 people in attendance. There were three worship services that day. Membership was up to 55, with 12 voting members and 47 communing members.

In 1930 Zion merged with the American Lutheran Church. The merger brought new alliances and relationships. Upon the death of Lange in 1937, the Rev. Ludwig R. Schneider was issued a call to serve Zion and St. Paul’s, Sugar Island, as a two-point parish apart from their parent congregation, Immanuel. He was a seasoned pastor who organized Zion’s 25th anniversary celebration in 1937. Four worship services were held with two being held at the firemen’s park. It is said that over 1,000 people attended the services there. A chicken dinner was served to over 600 people by the ladies of the church with music provided by the St. Paul’s choir and the Lebanon band.

Regular English services were started on the first Sunday of each month beginning in November 1937.

The Rev. George Henry Beckman was the next pastor at Zion, being installed on Sept. 14, 1941. Beckman purchased the parsonage from Zion and his wife served as organist. In 1943 major improvements were made in the church building. One year after the completion of the improvements, on Oct. 22, 1944, fire broke out in the church. Smoke damaged the interior, ruining the redecorating and destroying the organ. Once again remodeling and repairs were made, and on March 11, 1945, a rededication service was held.

Zion’s first full-time pastor came on Dec. 31, 1947. The Rev. William Otto Heidtke served until April of 1949.

The Rev. August Julius Quandt accepted the call to Zion in 1949. In 1950, the Mission Aid, later to be called the Ladies Aid, was organized. By 1955, the congregation had grown to 303 baptized members with 222 confirmed. The German services were still held every other Sunday.

In 1957 an addition was built on to the back of the church building, which included a general purpose room and restrooms. Dedication services were held on Oct. 27, 1957. In 1959, the synod reported a membership at Zion of 319 baptized, 242 confirmed, a Sunday school of 54.

The Rev. Wayne George Radke was the first non-German speaking pastor at Zion. Radke’s ministry at Zion coincided with the baby boom era with membership at 316 baptized, 210 confirmed and 86 in Sunday school.

Other pastors who were installed at Zion included the Rev. John Edward Midtling Jr. on Sept. 1, 1969; the Rev. Steven Raymond Ekblad, was installed at Zion in August of 1979; the Rev. Daniel Dimick assumed pastoral duties at Zion in August of 1986; the Rev. Jeffrey Ferrell Johnson was installed as pastor in July of 1989; the Rev. Michael Mueller answered the call for a new pastor at Zion in August of 1996; in July of 2005 the Rev. Marsha Swenson was called to Zion; the Rev. Robert Thays was installed in October of 2007 and is the current pastor.

The highlight of the 100th anniversary service will be a video production of the history of the church, special organ selections performed by Steve Rhode, director of music at Christ King Parish, Wauwatosa, along with music from the Zion choir and Zion chime choir.