In attempting to write a brief history of our Zion Evangelical Lutheran Congregation we must of necessity draw extensively upon that service, so well done, by other pastors, who furnished the material on the occasion of other anniversaries that have been celebrated.

Although there seems to have been other Lutheran organizations in Butler County, even as early as the year 1806, yet Zion, formally organized August 12, 1843, appears to have been the first purely Lutheran congregation in the county. "On August 12, 1843, a few Lutherans, who with their pastor, A. Hordorf, had withdrawn from the Free Protestant St. John's Church, for the sake of their faith and conscience, organized the Evangelical Lutheran Zion Congregation at Hamilton and Rossville, Ohio." (History written in 1918). With definite convictions, based upon the articles of the Augsburg Confession, the congregation desired to be known as a Lutheran congregation and soon joined with others of its kind, in the joint Synod of Ohio, and received its pastors from that body.

In the early years the congregation had the custom of electing its pastors every year. However, in 1853 a change is noted, the annual election is discontinued and there is the beginning of longer pastorates. From 1843 to 1852 there were five pastors. From 1853 to the present time there also have been five pastors.

The Rev. A. Hordorf remained with the congregation until the summer of 1844, when he left for another pastorate. The Rev. August Bargas then came to serve until November of that same year. During this short pastorate the cornerstone of the first church, on the southwest corner of Front and Ludlow streets, was laid. In the next month, December, 1844, Adolph Conradi became pastor. He was able to finish the church building and see its dedication, which took place June 21, 1845.   He was succeeded by pastor Ernst Leonhardt in 1847, who remained only a few months, being followed by the Rev. Gottlob Grau in June of 1848, who at his own desire was permitted to leave in June of 1852. In the fall of that year came Friedrich Groth, who remained eight years. In the first part of the year 1861 Pastor Richard Herbst took up the work, and was with the congregation until 1873. During this pastorate, the church membership having grown considerably by now, it was necessary to provide more room. After much consideration it was decided to sell the old church and lot and build a new church on the opposite corner. This was during the Civil War and many obstacles were encountered.  But in due time a new church, with school and parsonage on the first floor and the sanctuary on the second, costing $27,000, was the splendid property of the congregation. In mid-summer of 1866 this building was dedicated to the service and glory of God.

The instruction of the young was always in the forefront of the planning and thinking of the members and pastor. Therefore, from the very beginning a parochial school played a very interesting and important part in the life of Zion. How often we hear reminiscences of those who attended, and even from many, who are no longer members of the mother church, as to the effect it had for good in their lives.

February 2, 1873, Pastor Herbst accepted a call to Columbus, Ohio and concluded his ministry in Hamilton in March of that year. The membership of the congregation had grown to 675 communicants.

Shortly thereafter, a call was extended to the Rev. Gottfried H. Trebel of Mansfield, Ohio, which he accepted. A long and important pastorate begins. At the close of the first half-century the work was prospering in church and school. Many advances were made. The church property was enlarged and enhanced through a building and renovation program, which included an addition to the church, 20 feet in length, to make room for a chancel recess and the installation of an imported art-glass window of the resurrection of Christ. At this time, also, a new altar, pulpit and pews of cherry wood were made a part of the sanctuary. This was made possible through liberal gifts and in 1893 the church was rededicated, and the congregation had the joy of celebrating the 50th anniversary with a splendid and worshipful church building. During these years, of course, various organizations came into being and served the congregation well.

Over such a period of time, even in a Christian congregation, days of trial will come. But perhaps these are for the strengthening, development and appreciation of the greater things in life. Of this we will not record any details. After 31 years Pastor Trebel presented his resignation and in the spring of 1904 terminated his pastorate. He entered the Church Triumphant September 21, 1925, at Dayton, Ohio, at the age of 89.

The Rev. C. F. W. Allwardt, pastor at Canal Winchester, Ohio, was called, accepted and was duly installed, July 10, 1904. With his coming another long and fruitful pastorate was enjoyed. The church, which had been a German church from the beginning, holding all its meetings and services in the German language, now realized that, as the children grew up they would need English instruction and preaching. Therefore, English services in the evening were soon introduced. In January, 1909, a resolution was adopted that the last Sunday of each month an English service was to be held in the morning. Four years later the arrangement was made effective that there be German and English services on alternate Sunday mornings. This prevailed for several years, until the plan, now still in effect, that there be both German and English services in the morning with the English service occupying the time for the main worship hour, was carried out. During this time, of course, all other meetings, as well as the Sunday School and classes of religious education, were conducted in the English language.

In the school considerable difficulty was experienced from time to time in getting teachers to carry on the instruction and by the time the three quarter of a century mark was reached the school "is badly crippled, too many people are indifferent, only a few children live near the school, and other things make the outlook discouraging."
 

Always interested in the upkeep of its property and moving along as time makes it necessary, the congregation entered upon the project of building a parsonage for the pastor and his family. In January, 1906, the new parsonage, located next to the church, was ready for occupancy. In the same year further improvements were made, both within and outside the church, until in the year 1910 a more complete remodeling program was decided upon. Then electric lights, hardwood floors, new art-glass windows, refrescoing, a complete rebuilding of the entrance and a recovering of the brick exterior of the church with stucco were included in the renovation. This meant quite an outlay of money, but the congregation saw it through and was permitted to rededicate its house of worship again in November of that year. The spring of 1913 brought a time of disaster to Hamilton. For it was the year of the flood, which caused much damage to property and with it too, the loss of many lives. Although the flood waters did not reach a height to do harm to the church or parsonage, yet many of Zion's members were greatly affected. The church building itself became truly a house of refuge for many in those days and material help was extended to all who needed it. In addition to paying a large sum in tax money to meet the Conservancy Legislation, over $500 was contributed for relief work at the same time.

Not many years passed after this catastrophe until the nation found itself in the throes of the First World War. Twenty-two young men were called from the membership to serve in the country's cause, and all returned safely. During these years and those following, the congregation responded liberally to every worthy call.

The pastor, in addition to serving his congregation well, which meant heavy demands upon his time and energy, yet had the ability and desire to serve the church at large from time to time. He served as president of the Western District of the joint Synod of Ohio; was on the Board of Capital University for many years; and in our own community was actively engaged in the founding and development of Fort Hamilton Hospital, serving on the board of directors for a considerable length of time.

All these demands had their toll and ill health caused Dr. Allwardt to take a period of rest. Returning to his work the congregation supplied an assistant for the pastor in the person of his son, Theo. E. G. Allwardt, who served until 1934, when a call was extended to him, which he accepted. This brought about the resignation of the Senior pastor and closed his work of over 30 years. He lived a retired life with his daughter, until February 26, 1941, when the Lord of the Church called him to his eternal home to rest from his labors. Father and son had labored together for seven years. In the latter months of these pastorates a fine three manual organ was installed.

Just before the Christmas season of 1934 a call was extended to the present pastor, then serving his Zion congregation of Lima, Ohio. In spite of the expressed wish of his congregation that the pastor remain, after prayerful and conscientious consideration the call was accepted and on February 10, 1935, Karl A. Mueller was dully installed. Perhaps we need not say much concerning the events shaping the history of the present. Yet for the sake of the record the following can be written.

As a result of the merger of three Lutheran synods in the year 1930, the congregation became a part of the American Lutheran Church. A new hymnal was printed and this hymnal was adopted by Zion congregation.

A gift of an individual communion set for the use of the congregation was accepted and approved.

A revised constitution for the guidance of the congregation was written based on the model constitution of the American Lutheran Church for all congregations. This, likewise, was adopted.

To meet the changing conditions and to enable the church to carry out its program more efficiently, a project, considered for some time but never having come to fruition, was revived. That was the building of a parish house and the furnishing of individual class rooms for the Sunday School. In the annual report of the pastor on January 10, 1936, this item was brought to the attention of the congregation and acted upon favorably. A committee was to contemplate the matter and offer suggestions. After consulting expert advice, this was done and in April the following year, the general plan was approved and authority given to proceed with the raising of funds.  So well did this succeed that the committee was authorized to go ahead with the building. November 8, 1937, the work was started and by the spring of 1938 a service of dedication was held.  The entire project, not only enlarged the property of the congregation but has served in all phases of church activity.  The cost amounted to about $35,000, which was not a burden upon the congregation for many members contributed liberally to this building of a greater Zion in Hamilton.

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society